Whey protein isolate
Encyclopedia
A whey protein isolate is a dietary supplement created by filtering milk protein. Whey
is a by-product of the cheese-making process. Whey protein
can be processed in three ways to to yield highly bioavailabile
protein: as whey isolate, whey concentrate
, and hydrolysate
form.
Whey proteins are highly bioavailable, are very quickly absorbed into the body, and have a high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
which are highly concentrated in muscle tissue, and are used to fuel working muscles and stimulate protein synthesis.
The difference between the whey protein forms is the process used to filter the proteins. Whey isolates yield a higher percentage of pure protein and can be filtered enough to be virtually lactose free, carbohydrate free, fat free, and cholesterol free.
Two filtration methods are widely used. One method, utilizes ion exchangers which denature the proteins with heat, and may or may not damage the proteins. The second method, microfiltration
, uses other filtration methods. Both methods yield a very high protein to non-protein product ratio.
Whey and other protein powders can be reconstituted at the time of usage by the addition of a solvent such as water, juice, milk, or other liquid.
(muscle-building) state. Because of their filtration methods, whey isolates tend to be less allergenic than Concentrates and other bovine milk or dairy products.
Whey
Whey or Milk Serum is the liquid remaining after milk has been curdled and strained. It is a by-product of the manufacture of cheese or casein and has several commercial uses. Sweet whey is manufactured during the making of rennet types of hard cheese like cheddar or Swiss cheese...
is a by-product of the cheese-making process. Whey protein
Whey protein
Whey protein is a mixture of globular proteins isolated from whey, the liquid material created as a by-product of cheese production. Some preclinical studies in rodents have suggested that whey protein may possess anti-inflammatory or anti-cancer properties; however, human data is lacking...
can be processed in three ways to to yield highly bioavailabile
Bioavailability
In pharmacology, bioavailability is a subcategory of absorption and is used to describe the fraction of an administered dose of unchanged drug that reaches the systemic circulation, one of the principal pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. By definition, when a medication is administered...
protein: as whey isolate, whey concentrate
Whey concentrate
Whey protein concentrate is the cheapest and most common form of whey protein. Whey protein concentrate is a common athletic supplement used to increase dietary protein intake, often with the goal of maximizing muscle hypertrophy....
, and hydrolysate
Hydrolysate
Whey protein hydrolysate is considered the gold standard of protein powders. Unlike concentrate of isolate forms of whey protein, hydrolysates are enzymatically predigested for maximal speed of absorption. This additional processing often comes at an increased cost, but is considered superior for...
form.
Whey proteins are highly bioavailable, are very quickly absorbed into the body, and have a high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)
Branched-chain amino acids
A branched-chain amino acid is an amino acid having aliphatic side-chains with a branch...
which are highly concentrated in muscle tissue, and are used to fuel working muscles and stimulate protein synthesis.
The difference between the whey protein forms is the process used to filter the proteins. Whey isolates yield a higher percentage of pure protein and can be filtered enough to be virtually lactose free, carbohydrate free, fat free, and cholesterol free.
Production
Whey isolates have had their base component (water) removed and are generally considered almost lactose and cholesterol free — they are at least 90% protein by weight.Two filtration methods are widely used. One method, utilizes ion exchangers which denature the proteins with heat, and may or may not damage the proteins. The second method, microfiltration
Microfiltration
Microfiltration is a membrane technical filtration process which removes contaminants from a fluid by passage through a microporous membrane. A typical microfiltration membrane pore size range is 0.1 to 10 micrometres...
, uses other filtration methods. Both methods yield a very high protein to non-protein product ratio.
Whey and other protein powders can be reconstituted at the time of usage by the addition of a solvent such as water, juice, milk, or other liquid.
Function
Whey protein is essential in the bodybuilding world today because of its ability to be digested very rapidly and help return the post-workout body back from a catabolic (muscle-wasting) state to an anabolicAnabolism
Anabolism is the set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units. These reactions require energy. One way of categorizing metabolic processes, whether at the cellular, organ or organism level is as 'anabolic' or as 'catabolic', which is the opposite...
(muscle-building) state. Because of their filtration methods, whey isolates tend to be less allergenic than Concentrates and other bovine milk or dairy products.