FAQ's

Common questions about the importance of protein.

• Why do I need protein?
• Is whey protein a good idea for a low-carbohydrate diet?
• Will whey protein help me lose weight?
• Is whey protein a good choice following bariatric weight loss surgery?
• I am a vegetarian. Can I use whey protein?
• Is whey protein safe for pregnant women? What about children?
• How are essential and non-essential amino acids different?
• Does whey protein contain gluten?
• Should I avoid whey if I am lactose intolerant?
• Is there a difference between whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate?
• How much fat and cholesterol are in whey protein?
• Why a whey protein supplement?
• What should I look for when selecting a protein supplement with whey isolate?

Why do I need protein?

We all need protein. It's essential for life, and important for those who workout - especially afterward. Many people don't realize that you don't build muscle during the workout; you actually tear them down. It's post-workout where the amino acids which make up protein begin the process of building muscle tissue so you gain muscle mass. A lack of protein in the system can actually negate the positive effects of working out. As we get older, we lose muscle. So those of a certain age must maintain enough protein in the diet to slow the rate of muscle loss. Also, the amino acids in protein help support a healthy immune system for people of all ages

Is whey protein a good idea for a low-carbohydrate diet?

Yes. Not only does whey protein complement a low-carbohydrate diet, it's essential. Adding a protein shake or two to your regular diet will help you feel full and resist grabbing those extra carbs from the vending machine. But make sure you select a whey protein isolate which provides high quality ingredients and without carbohydrates and fat.

Will whey protein help me lose weight?

Adding whey protein to the diet is a great way to jump-start a weight loss program. Whey protein is a key ingredient in numerous weight loss and meal replacement products. Conclusive research indicates individuals who combine diets rich in whey proteins with exercise have more lean muscle tissue and lose body fat more efficiently. As they lose fat, their metabolic rate increases which actually burns more calories each day.

Is whey protein a good choice following bariatric weight loss surgery?

Your doctor or nutrition specialist should always be consulted before making any dietary decisions following surgery. But most experts agree that protein plays an essential role in the primary food source following surgery. Whey protein isolate digests easily and absorbs into the system efficiently and therefore makes an excellent choice during post-bariatric surgery when the patient can't eat beef and other foods high in protein.

I am a vegetarian. Can I use whey protein?

Yes, whey comes from milk. So if dairy is OK in your diet, so is whey protein.

Is whey protein safe for pregnant women? What about children?

Your physician has probably talked to you about the importance of ''complete proteins.'' Whey protein is a great source of high quality complete protein for healthy pregnant women as well as children, as long as they do not have dairy allergies. The second most abundant component in whey protein is alpha-lactalbumin, one of the main proteins in human breast milk. That's why infant formulas often contain whey. Pregnant women and parents of young children should consult with their physician before adding whey to their diets.

How are essential and non-essential amino acids different?

The body can make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in your system. However, the body is unable to create essential amino acids. They can only be derived from what we eat. Protein sources that contain all of the essential amino acids are called complete proteins. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein. There are several foods commonly thought of as good sources of proteins which are, in fact, incomplete proteins such as nuts and beans.

Does whey protein contain gluten?

No. Pure whey does not contain any gluten.

Should I avoid whey if I am lactose intolerant?

People with lactose intolerance should only select a high quality, pure whey isolate. A pure whey isolate has less than .1 gram of lactose per 20 grams (a standard serving of whey is 28 grams). What's the difference between whey and soy protein? Whey protein is a complete protein. It is rich in BCAA (Branched-chain amino acids) and offers a quicker absorption rate. Whey also does not contain isoflavones which have potential hormonal effects.

Is there a difference between whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate?

Yes, there is an enormous difference. Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein. It contains 90% or more protein and very little (if any) fat and lactose. Whey protein concentrate are loaded with fat and lactose, and as the protein level in whey protein concentrate decreases the amounts of fat and/or lactose usually increase.

For those trying to lose weight, protein is their best friend. Not only can protein supplements be used as low calorie snacks or meal replacements, but it helps level your hormonal landscape. Protein raises Glucagon levels (fat burning hormone) and reduces Ghrelin levels (a hormone that stimulates appetite).

How much fat and cholesterol are in whey protein?

This depends on the type of whey protein (isolate or concentrate) and also the brand of each. A good quality whey isolate will usually have less than a milligram of cholesterol.

Why a whey protein supplement?

Simply put, you want to consume a good quality protein without consuming extra carbs and calories. Convenience is important, and grabbing a shake or meal replacement bar on the way out the door fits almost any schedule. It reduces snacking at home or hitting the vending machine at the office.

What should I look for when selecting a protein supplement with whey isolate?

Without going into a chemistry lesson, here are some things to consider. Recent procedures such as cross-flow microfiltration have yielded higher quality whey with added benefits over ion-exchange whey isolate. This preserves key microfractions which are highly beneficial. Whey protein isolate which is not heat treated contains these key microfractions such as alpha lactalbumin and glycomacropeptides which positively support immune function. Most of the whey protein on the market is created via ion-exchange, a process where electric charges are used to extract the protein. We strongly recommend a cold pressed ultra microfiltration whey isolate.