Many people often want to take protein supplements to help add muscle mass, improve strength and lose body fat.
Most popularly eaten in the form of protein shakes, combined with exercise resistance, whey protein can aid in the growth of lean muscle mass. By helping your body heal faster from workouts, whey protein offers important amino acids which are very literally your body’s building blocks.
What is Whey Protein ?
Whey Protein is one dairy by-product. When milk is used to make yogurt or cheese, certain enzymes are added to isolate the milk, so that the curds can be extracted for cheese making. Whey protein is in the remaining liquid after the curds are removed.
Whey Protein Isolate vs Concentrate
When shopping around for this protein supplement, whether making shakes with it in the form of powder, meal supplements, or protein bars, you’ll have come across two types: isolate and focus.
Although both contain the same types of amino acids as they are derived from the same protein, understanding the differences between the two is crucial, as some of them can influence your decision as to which one is better for you.
- Mode of Processing
All the variations between whey protein isolate and whey protein concentration depend on how it is handled. The key thing to note, without going through the technical specifics of the manufacturing methods used, is that whey protein isolate is processed more than whey protein concentrate, making it more concentrated.
- Amount of Protein Content
Obviously the protein content is of immense importance, after all, this is why you take the supplement first.
Usually, whey protein concentrate can have up to around 80 percent protein by weight anywhere. The rest are made of carbohydrates and fat. Isolate, on the other hand, typically has around 90 percent protein by weight through the more refined manufacturing process.
- Amount of Fat Content
Whey protein isolate is much lower in fat than concentrate, making it much more suitable if you take the supplement while maintaining muscle mass to lose weight. Whey protein isolate has 0 g of fat in a standard 100-calorie serving while the whey protein concentrate has 1.5 g of fat.
- Lactose Content
Lactose is also present in greater abundance in whey protein concentrate along with fat and carbohydrate. The figures are close to that of the carbohydrate material, whereas whey concentrate can contain up to 3.5 g lactose compared to up to 1 g in whey isolate.
While no amount is likely to affect those suffering from lactose sensitivity, you are best off with whey protein isolate if you’re trying to stop lactose altogether.