Not all protein is equal. And, not all whey protein is equal, either. There are three basic types of whey protein: Concentrate, Isolate and Hydrolyzed. Each is substantially different, so before you go looking for specific brands, you will do yourself a big favor by familiarizing yourself with these three kinds of protein. By the end of this article you’ll know precisely which is the best whey protein for your uses.
Whey Protein Concentrate
It’d be perfectly reasonable to assume that ‘concentrate’ means this type of whey protein is the most concentrated. However, that would be wrong. Whey protein concentrate is, in actual fact, a more refined version of the cheese by product whey. But, in the whey protein world, it’s actually the least concentrated.
Concentration actually refers to how much actual whey protein is contained in each dose. For instance, a 100% pure dose of whey protein weighing 30g would contain 30g whey protein. As it is, most whey protein concentrate contains around 30 – 85% protein per dose. What makes up the remainder of the dose is carbohydrates and fats.
Of course, the higher the percentage of protein, the better.
Without doubt, higher end whey protein concentrate is definitely the best whey protein for those on a budget.
Whey Protein Isolate
Next up we have whey protein isolate. ‘Isolate’ is a further refinement of concentrate, in which more of the fat and carb contents are removed through various methods, in an effort to leave a more pure whey protein. Whey protein isolate generally comes in a concentration of 90 – 96%.
Owing to the costs of further refinement, whey protein isolate also comes with a greater price tag.
Many people feel the difference between a high-end concentrate and isolate is negligible, though serious protein users may disagree and find the difference between concentrate and isolate more pronounced. Whey protein isolate may also be the best whey protein to take for people whose stomach is hyper-sensitive to lactose, as greater amounts of lactose are removed from whey protein isolate than from concentrate.
Whey Protein Hydrolysate
Hydrolyzed whey protein is an interesting one. When we digest something, our body breaks down that food into simpler compounds, which it then makes use of. Not everything we eat can be broken down so easily by the body, which either delays digestion time or nutrients pass through without being fully used: i.e.: wasted. Given we are paying for whey protein, we want to absorb as much of it as possible.
Based on digestion and absorption then, hydrolyzed is definitely the best whey protein. This is because it has undergone extensive processing during which the amino acids in whey have been broken down into smaller chains (essentially, pre-digested to some extent), meaning your digestive system has a much easier time making use of it, hence less waste.
Hydrolyzed whey protein, as you may expect, comes at the highest cost of all whey protein.
A further point worth mentioning is the fact that whey protein hydrolysate – because of it’s extensive refinement – is notorious for being the least palatable protein and some may not be able to tolerate the taste without mixing with something of strong flavor.
Conclusion:
I hope this article has given you the basic information you came for and has given you a better idea of what may be the best whey protein for you to proceed with. Of course, everyone wants the best, but don’t lose sight of the fact that all whey protein is outstanding – even the cheapest concentrate – so don’t think you have to spend a fortune on it. At the end of the day, it’s all about how much whey protein you can get into your system within the recommended dosage limit. Higher end, purer proteins obviously provide more protein per dose, but, providing you have a good diet and have protein from plenty of other real food sources, almost any whey protein supplement of 70%+ concentration can be well worth including.