How Do I Choose the Best Whey Supplements?

Whey protein is a supplement created as a byproduct of milk, commonly used by athletes who wish to support muscle growth. There are three general varieties of whey supplements. Whey protein isolate is highly purified, while whey protein concentrate contains additional ingredients. Additionally, whey protein blends combine the first two types; this may be formulated for easy digestion. The weight loss and muscle growth goals of an athlete are usually the most important consideration for choosing whey supplements.

Many athletes and bodybuilders choose to use supplements to increase their daily protein intake. Natural food sources such as chicken and eggs contain high levels of protein, but can be time consuming or inconvenient to prepare. A whey supplement can be quickly consumed in the form of a shake, or added as a powder to other foods such as oatmeal.

A whey protein isolate undergoes processing that is designed to remove fat and lactose. Generally, these types of whey supplements contain 90% protein. The level of carbohydrates in whey protein isolate is also very low. These features mean that whey isolate has more actual protein in each serving, compared to other varieties of whey supplements. Whey protein isolate should be used by individuals who wish to gain muscle while losing fat at the same time.

Typically, whey protein concentrate usually contains more fat and cholesterol than an isolate product. Carbohydrates such as lactose are also found in these types of whey powder. As a result, concentrate supplements have less protein in each serving. A typical whey concentrate product is between 29 and 89% protein by weight. The inclusion of carbohydrates and fat makes whey protein concentrate a good choice for people seeking to bulk up quickly.

Some whey supplements contain a blend of protein isolate and concentrate. The primary advantage of these types of supplements is price. Whey isolate tends to be more expensive than whey concentrate, due to the extra processing involved. By mixing isolate and concentrate products, supplement manufacturers can create blends that are somewhat low in fat, yet still affordable. Typically, whey supplements are best for athletes who wish to gain mass but have a limited budget.

In some protein blends, the whey is specially formulated or "hydrolyzed." This allows the protein to be metabolized easily by the body. As with whey isolate, these special blends are usually expensive because they must be processed. Despite the higher cost, a hydrolyzed whey protein blend can be useful for those with allergies to milk or other dairy products.