Whey Isolate vs Concentrate: Choosing the Best Protein

Whey Protein consists of a number of fast-digesting proteins to act as a dietary supplement. The two most common forms of Whey Protein are Whey Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Concentrate. Each type is different based on separate manufacturing methods. Let's find out here with Ultimate Sup.

What Is Whey Protein?

Whey Protein is a protein compound isolated from the fat breakdown during cheese or yogurt production. Whey Protein is a high-quality protein source compared to conventional protein-rich natural foods. It brings essential amino-acid chains for your muscle maintenance and development. 

Milk contains two protein types. Casein accounts for 80% of the protein in milk, while the remaining 20% is Whey. Whey is created from the watery portion of milk. You can find this liquid containing fast-digesting proteins on top of a yogurt container. Cheesemakers used to eliminate it until its health value was exposed.

In fact, Whey and Casein are both high-quality proteins because they contain all the amino acids needed by the body. However, whey is especially beneficial for promoting new protein production in muscles.

Currently, different types of Whey Protein are used in shake-style drinks providing protein. Two of the most common forms of Whey Protein are Whey Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Concentrate. These forms are produced using a combination of various processing techniques and slightly varying their nutritional content.

Benefits Of Whey Protein

We will take a closer look at four advantages of protein from Whey.

Provide Essential Amino Acids

Whey is a complete protein source. That means it provides all nine essential amino acids. Your body cannot produce these but has to get them from foods. However, getting enough protein through diets alone is hard. Especially for gym-goers and athletes, the protein requirements will be much higher. You should absorb protein from milk by-products, as well.

Recover And Develop Muscles

Two processes are occurring to your muscles: catabolism - muscle breaking down during exercise - and anabolism - muscle recovery after adding protein. Whey Protein will supply all the acids needed for anabolism. 

Post-workout, muscles go from catabolic to anabolic state. Hence, you need to get protein as quickly as possible. Suppose protein in organic foods takes a specific time to absorb. In that case, protein supplements, including Whey Protein can go into your body directly and rapidly, thus restoring and developing optimal lean muscles. 

Increase Your Strength And Endurance

Whey Protein drinks facilitate ultimate muscle recovery, which enhances your performance. Whey contains a large amount of three essential amino acids: Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine. These substances play a vital role in building and maintaining your muscle mass. They also act as an energy source during long and intense training. 

Support Weight Loss

There is a little-known fact about Whey Protein. The powder containing protein truly helps you lose body fat. Protein can promote your fullness compared to other macronutrients. Moreover, it supports energy release through the thermal effect. Protein digestion and metabolism make you consume more calories, too. According to a Nutrition & Metabolism study of 158 individuals, subjects who took Whey lost more body fat and showed significant preservation of lean muscles compared to the placebo group. 

What Is Whey Protein Isolate?

Whey Protein Isolate is a premium Whey Protein that includes the highest and purest amount of protein. With the protein content from 90-95%, it almost completely eliminates lactose and impurities after thorough filtration but retains the best biological protein values. 

Whey Protein Isolate has a faster absorption rate, from 104 to 150, compared to other protein sources, making the absorption process easier, faster, and more efficient. Moreover, Whey Protein Isolate is suitable for people allergic to Lactose. Because during the filtration process, it has filtered almost all Lactose. This element causes bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea along with Lactose allergy or intolerance in people with Lactose allergies. 

What Is Whey Protein Concentrate?

Like any Whey Protein, Whey Protein Concentrate is a fast-absorbing source with higher protein nutritional value than conventional protein sources such as meat, fish, eggs, and milk. It is the most natural Whey Protein because it is less processed. Although Whey Protein Concentrate has a low protein content, lower than 90% protein, Whey Protein Concentrate still provides compounds of biological values.

Whey Protein Concentrate contains high levels of growth factors such as IGF-1, TGF-1, and TGF-2. In addition, Whey Protein Concentrate also has high levels of various bioactive phospholipids & lipids (CLA) as well as excellent levels of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. These compounds can improve your immunity and gut health significantly.

The Difference Between Whey Protein Isolate And Whey Protein Concentrate

There are some nutritional differences between Whey Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Concentrate. Their processing methods mainly cause these dissimilarities.

Whey Protein provides high nutritional value for bodybuilders and athletes. Before being collected as a byproduct of the cheese or yogurt manufacturing process, liquid Whey must undergo several processing steps to increase the protein content. Once the required protein concentration is appropriate, the liquid starts to turn into Whey Protein Concentrate. This Whey is composed of up to 80% protein by weight. The 20% remaining ​​contains carbohydrates and fat.

In contrast, Whey Protein Isolate can contain up to 90% protein or more by production weight if using more modern processing techniques to reduce its fat and carbohydrate content. As a result, Whey Protein Isolate can lead to higher protein, lower fat, and carbohydrate content per serving. 

The table below will show the key differences between these two Whey. However, both forms’ amino acids are virtually identical if they are derived from the same protein. 

In addition to having a lower total carbohydrate content, Whey Protein Isolate is also lower in milk sugar than Whey Protein Concentrate. This is especially helpful for people with Lactose intolerance. Besides, their costs are not the same. Whey Protein Isolate will be more expensive than Whey Protein Concentrate. This difference depends on Whey Protein Isolate higher purity.

The Best Whey Protein Isolate Supplement

To conclude, Whey Protein Isolate is better than Whey Protein Concentrate. So, if your budget allows, you should use protein supplementation from Whey Protein Isolate. Among all the Whey Protein Isolate, Isoflex can be an excellent choice for you. The most special thing about this product from Allmax Nutrition is that it contains no sugar and fat. Next, this protein powder is low-carb. With only 2g carb, Isoflex only includes protein without any impurities. The protein component here is 100% Whey Protein Isolate, which brings several benefits:

• Fulfill your body with an adequate protein amount needed in a day, especially for busy people. 
• Build and repair your muscle mass quickly. Detoxify your muscle, strengthen the body's immunity, and reduce pain naturally. 
• Provide high absorption and biological value. 
• Perfectly suitable for those who are allergic to Lactose. 

Isn't it great? This protein powder has set a whole new gold standard for protein alternatives. If you take the protein beverage, you'll understand why it has received a lot of positive customer reviews. 

For those who have a lower budget, Whey Protein Concentrate is still a good choice to consider. In that case, you can promote your protein amount by using Myprotein Impact Whey. Impact Whey is a protein supplement formulated and manufactured from 100% Whey Concentrate. Each scoop will provide you with 21g of pure protein with the most advanced CFM production technology, helping to remove many impurities and giving you better muscle recovery and development.

The fat and sugar content in this protein powder is also very low, which avoids excess calories. Moreover, Myprotein Impact Whey only contains about 103 calories per serving. That makes it very suitable for individuals who are squeezing muscle to lose fat.