Whey Protein Powder
It’s NOT Just For Body Builders!
 

Whey protein powder is used by many body buil

The main components in whey protein are amino acids, and they exist in whey in a form that is easily absorbed.  These amino acids are sometimes called the building blocks of protein in the body.  And proteins have many functions: 

• Proteins in the form of enzymes help to speed up reactions and help the body to perform its very important work of detoxification.  Enzymes are used for digesting and metabolizing foods as well as for replicating DNA.
• Antibodies which protect the body from germs are made up of proteins.
• They are required for repairing as well as building tissues, including muscle tissue.
• Hormones are made out of proteins (hormones are messengers in your body that order your cells to do all sorts of vital things).
• They help to make your hair, skin and nails strong and healthy.
• Protein is required for the proper functioning of body processes like transporting nutrients and contracting muscles.
• Proteins can provide energy to your body.

In their function of helping the body in detoxifying poisonous substances, proteins and their precursors seems to be critical in aiding both to prevent disease and in helping you have optimal health.  The amino acids in whey protein powder, especially one called cysteine, help your body to manufacture the antioxidant glutathione, which is used in detoxifying many chemicals.  Glutathione has been called the master antioxidant, and some scientists feel it is the most important nutrient for the body for detoxification, after water!

Whey also has other components such as Lactoferrin and Immunoglobulin IgG that help to boost your immune system.  Many have reported that taking whey protein powder increases their energy, endurance, mood and helps them to lose weight as well.  So what are you waiting for?

More on the Benefits of Whey Protein Powder
 

“Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant
and best kept secret to maintaining health”

Theodore Hersch, MD, Harvard Graduate
& Professor of Medicine Emeritus Emory University.
 

What is Whey Protein?
 

Whey protein is a protein that comes from the liquid that is left over after making cheese.  It is often dried in order to form whey protein powder that can be conveniently packaged and used.  It contains various amino acids that your body uses as the building blocks to make protein out of. 

Whey Protein Powder Forms

Whey is often converted to more concentrated forms such as:

• whey protein concentrate
• whey protein isolate, or
• hydrolized whey

Some people think that whey protein isolate is better because it has had much of the fat removed, but did you know your body actually needs some fat in order to process and use the protein?  The hydrolized whey has been broken into smaller pieces, supposedly for better digestion and absorption, but we think the less processed, the better, and hence recommend that you use the whey protein concentrate form instead.

Whey Protein Powder Allergies

Some people seem to react to something in the whey protein powder and get gas, bloating, fatigue or irritability after consumption.  But before determining that it is the whey itself (many more people are actually allergic to the casein protein that is found in milk than to the whey protein), you might want to try a higher quality or more pure source of whey.  Many whey protein powders are denatured and contain all sorts of artificial colors and flavors that may be causing these symptoms.
 

Protein and/or Glutathione Deficiencies
 

It can sometimes be hard to know if you are deficient in protein, as you may be eating enough protein, but your body might not be able to assimilate the amino acids properly.  In addition, deficiency symptoms can take months or even years to develop, so it is hard to detect.  Just remember that as you add back in nutrients that you may be deficient in, it may take time for you to feel better.  This is because sometimes the extra nutrients you are consuming go to fix things that are not noticeable.  Also, it can take time to improve the degeneration that has aleady occurred.

If you are taking whey protein powder to correct a particular problem, you may want to consider higher dosages at first, and then follow that with decreased amounts for alonger period of time.

As for the Glutathione, studies have shown that many people are low in glutathione these days.  This is probably due to the way we are bombarded with chemicals today that our bodies have to detoxify.  Every time your  body uses up a molecule of glutathione to detoxify, that glutathione will need to be replaced.  So if you can add things to your diet that will help your body to make more glutathione, like whey protein powder, that will help your body to detoxify better.

If you add whey protein to your diet, and you don't see any results, you need to ask yourself:

1. Are you taking a potent, high quality, whey that meets the requirements on our Whey Protein Powder Supplement Page?
2. Is your body able to absorb and utilize these supplements?
3. Are you taking high enough levels to get your body to overcome the long-term short-fall?

Sometimes patience is the key.
 

Toxic Ingredients in Whey Protein Powder
 

If you decide to take whey protein in the form of a supplement powder, it is essential that you find one that contains high quality whey and no toxins.  Did you know that a study by the University of California and the American Nutraceutical Association showed that most nutritional supplements contain toxins?  In fact, they found that 97.5% (that’s 1 out of 40!) either had toxic ingredients or had incorrect labels! (Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association).   That means that most of the supplements out there are toxic, and if you are taking any type of nutritional supplement, you want to be boosting your health, not consuming toxins!

It’s better to spend a little more money for a quality product, even if that means you need to take less of it.  For more on how to properly choose an excellent whey protein powder, go to our Toxins in Whey page.