Is Protein, Protein?!?

[BobbyVilla]

Ok I have a quick question that can probably be easily answered, but I just have no idea. Ok, the question is, "are all proteins equal"?, for an example, when purchasing a certain type of protein shake supplement, could i just buy the cheapest supplements w/ the same amount of protein as a expensive type, and it will do the exact same thing as an expensive protien supplement shake? Basically, are there higher qualities of protein?

If there is a difference, what are the best types of protein shake supplements out there(for gaining mass muscle)?

[CJG560]

The main difference I find in cheap vs. expensive products is the ultra cheap ones sometimes use fillers and a bunch of sweeteners etc that you want to avoid. I don’t find that the expensive ones are that much better, I generally use a middle of the road cost protein. Mainly you just have to read the labels.

Regarding your question as to which type of proteins to take, mainly they vary in is called biological value (BV) which is a numerical expression of how readily available the protein becomes to the body upon ingestion.

For example whey becomes available to the body a lot faster than casein. Now that does not mean that one is "better" than the other. They just have different uses. Whey is great after a workout when your body desperately needs the protein fast, casein is great before bed since its log digestion time means less of a fast over night. Though whole foods are generally better.

Here is a quick BV listing:

PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT PROTEIN RATING
Whey Protein Isolate 159
Whey Protein Concentrate 104
Casein 77
Soy 74

The higher the number the faster it is available.

Finally you asked about the best protein shake for gaining muscle mass. I don’t believe there is a correct answer for this. I think that having a overall diet in place yields far better muscle mass results than just plainly adding a protein supplement. If you haven’t yet, head over the diet section and post your diet for critique.

[Merc.]

Heres a little write up I did about protein awhile ago ...



There are different types of protein , as well as diffrent quality... I suppose I should discuss the diffrent types of protein .

CONCENTRATE

This kind of protein has 20 - 80 % purity, the rest consist of fat and lactose.... So it could be 20 % protein, and 80 % lactose and fat.. You have to really take care to read the labels .. Concentrate is one of the lowest quality proteins ..

CALCIUM CAESINATE

This one is acually cheaper and has lower quality than concentrate...

ISOLATE

Isolate has a purity of 90 % ( plus), so it can have 10 % ( or less ) or fat and lactose..

WHEY PROTEIN HYDROLICATES

Keep in mind that to " hydrolyze " something means breaking it into smaller particles... So it can be 1/10th of 1% and still be called hydrolyzed by law.. High quality proteins label says 100 % whey protein hydrolizates..

By law all the ingredients must be listed from the highest amount present to low lowest amount present...

Alot of protein products only allow a max of 30 % of it to be absorbed by the duodenum ( proximal bowel).. This is were all the protein is absorbed by the body... The rest of it goes on to the large intestine and when there it rots and produces gas.. So ( if this is happening to you ) , you might be using a low quality protein and your body cant break it down so it cant absorb it..



Merc.

[kalspic]

^^^ good info merc. keep it comming

[Venom111]

This "biological value" you talk about, is this a number that will be listed in the nutritional info? I'm guessing no since I'm looking on mine and cant see it. Also your "quick BV listing" am I expecting to see these numbers vary wildly depending on the quality of the protein?

Looking at the nutritional info on my protein "concentrate" it reads:

per 100grams:

protein:77.3grams
fat: 5.8grams
carbs: 6.4grams

Is this relatively good quality? There is no mention of lactose but thats 77.3% protein unless I'm missing something. Thanks for all the good info but from what I've read I'll probably be switching to Isolate since I only use these post workout.

[CJG560]

Could you list the ingredients in your protein and the manufacturer? It sounds like you are heading in the right direction by going to an isolate.

[Merc.]

^^^ good info merc. keep it comming

Merc.

[Venom111]

Could you list the ingredients in your protein and the manufacturer?

sure its "pharmasports instantised whey" punch that in google and there's a nutrition info on the first listing

ingredients listed are:

Instant Whey Protein Concentrate, Flavourings (Nature Identical and Artificial), Artificial Sweetener (Sucralose 955), Carmine E120

quite expensive really, $100 USD for the 5lb tub, I get a discount off that though

[CJG560]

Ingrediants look fine but $100 seems steep. I have never paid that much for protein. Then again there are a ton of guys much larger than myself on this forum and that may be why.

[DCannon]

I usually get a 5lb tub of EAS 100% Whey(concentrate/isolate mix) for around $50. So yeah a $100 is a lot.