Proteins from whey

Whey proteins are the most valuable proteins that can enter your organism. Benefits that they bring are manifold and various. Proteins are the basic building material for every tissue in the organism. Without proteins there is no function of the nervous system, no immunity, and, therefore, no life.

Whey or buttermilk is created when milk turns to cheese. Whey proteins have the largest biological availability (they are the most efficient at reaching the parts of organism where they are needed). Amino-acidic content of whey protein is the most valuable, meaning that they contain the most branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) as well as all the essential amino-acids.

Whey is the richest source of BCAA that metabolizes in the muscles, and are the most important in training periods, as well as recovery periods. The whey contains amino-acids leucine and glutamine that are the most important for the building and growth of muscles. Long story short, whey makes sportspersons more prepared and more resistant.

There are three forms of whey protein:

1. concentrate

2. isolate

a. created by ion-exchangers
b. created by ultramicrofiltration

3. hydrolyzate

1. The technology of making the concentrate includes removal of most of the milk fat and sugar. The percentage of whey protein concentrate in the preparation is 65-85%, depending on the manufacturer. The most common case in practice is that the percentage of protein in the concentrate does not surpass 80%, while the rest is made up of fats and sugars.

2. a) Ion-exchange isolate made is made in the procedure where almost only protein is drawn from milk. Although this procedure changes the structure of proteins made, this product contains a high percentage (88-92%) of whey protein in 100g of product.

2.b) Micro filtered whey isolate is the purest protein product.100g usually contains 92-95% of protein, it does not have impurities, has more BCAA and calcium. It is important to note that the technology for making this product does not change the protein structure. It is primarily used by athletes on a no-carb diet, people who want to improve their performance and women.

3. Hydrolysed whey protein is the easiest digestible product because it is partially processed. Whey protein is divided into smaller parts, peptides, by the hydrolisation process. Peptides are then isolated by micro filters. So these products have all the advantages of isolates and can be absorbed faster after ingestion.

Difference between Whey concentrate, Whey isolate and Whey hydrolisate?

-There is a growing number of international protein isolation facilities that are specializing in whey protein isolation. Why is that? Whey protein concentrate has 65% to 85 % of pure whey protein, the rest are carbohydrates, fat, and flavour. It is an excellent source of protein and has affordable price compared to whey protein isolate. People who are lactose intolerant must avoid it due to its lactose content.

-Whey protein isolate has over 85% of pure whey protein, often around 90%. This protein practically has no carbohydrates and fats; it is excellent for pre-competition period, when the intake of carbohydrates and fats is strictly regulated.

-Whey hydrolysate is the most expensive protein because the technological procedure is significantly more complex and it represents whey protein broken down into smaller peptide chains. Due to that fact, it is absorbed very quickly and supplies the body with amino-acids in a short timeframe. It is excellent, even during training with certain amount of carbohydrates. It is one of the most expensive types of whey protein.

Difference between Whey protein and powdered or liquid whey?

Powdered whey (it can be purchased in healthy food stores) is made through classical process of dehydration at high temperatures when partial denaturation of protein happens, and therefore its biological value is reduced, so it cannot manifest its positive effects on building muscle mass, i.e. reparation of organs and other positive functions.

Whey protein powder is made from liquid whey by the process of micro-ultrafiltration that separates pure protein from excess lactose and fats (unnecessary for most people, especially in those amounts) and at lower temperatures that do not cause destruction of protein. This way you get pure protein without excess fats and carbohydrates, it is especially good for people who have obesity problems and people wanting to build pure muscle mass.

When is the optimum time to take whey protein?

Proper time you should take whey protein depends on numerous factors such as: bodyweight, number of workouts during the day, number of meals during the day and their schedule, composition etc..

Optimum time is right after waking up along with complex carbohydrates (cereals, rice flakes with milk – if you can tolerate it),procedure is different if you are overweight. You should take protein with water and a certain amount of simple carbohydrates (bananas for example) immediately after working out, it should replenish the vitamin and mineral deficit.

If you take it before bedtime it should be combined with slow release protein, like micellar casein or calcium caseinate. Unsaturated fatty acids should be taken along with the shake, flax oil for example, it prolongs the body’s supply of amino acids throughout the night. Whey protein is prepared with milk or water in a blender or shaker.

What are the effects of whey protein on the body?

First of all, it supplies the body with all essential amino acids (necessary for the body’s functions),and is involved in building muscle cells in physically active people (athletes, recreationists), it renews the organs (e.g. whey protein plays a vital role in treating liver damage). It has a positive effect on the immunity die to specific protein fractions it contains (lactoferrinandimmunoglobulin…). Due to its ideal composition it can affect reduction of body weight if it is taken instead of dinner. In underfed people: when combined with carbohydrates, it can affect the increase of bodyweight and is ideal supplement for their menu and should in no circumstances be used as a meal replacement.

Whey protein is an ideal supplement for properly balanced diet and should be included in daily meal plan, especially with people with increased protein requirements.

Iswhey protein harmful?

Whey protein is a completely natural supplement without any negative or harmful effect on the body. If tis content si analysed, it can be seen that none of its ingredients are on the prohibited list.

Non-whey protein

There are 23 amino acids important to our bodies. Human body can produce 15 non-essential ones, the remaining eight, essential ones, must be introduced through food or supplementation.

What to do before sleeping?

I believe many of you have asked this question many times, fearing muscular decomposition in that period. However, there is no reason for concern, there are supplements, casein proteins that are true anti-catabolic proteins and will slowly release proteins throughout the night and feed your muscles, reducing the decomposition to the minimum.

Casein is found in milk, and it is separated from milk through the ultrafiltration process without the use of chemicals. It forms a gel in the stomach, allowing for slower release of amino acids into bloodstream, this makes it an excellent choice of protein to take before sleep.

Egg protein- Albumin

Albumin is egg protein without fats or cholesterol, it contains important nutrients like: niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, sulphur, potassium chloride… As a slow absorbing protein, it is ideal for supplementation before bedtime, just like milk protein -casein.

if you are a vegetarian or you simply do not like the aforementioned proteins for some reason, there is a solution for you, plant sources of protein – soy protein isolate is excellent for vegetarians or people allergic to animal proteins.

What is soy?

Soy is a powerful plant that contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and fibres. It contains phytic acid that has antioxidant properties can help in preventing some types of cancers as well as lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

Soy protein isolate is highly concentrated, high quality, easily and quickly absorbable, non-animal protein source with large amount of important amino acids, including BCAA and glutamine. it is an excellent alternative for people looking for plant source of protein and for those seeking to increase their daily protein intake. Soy protein has a good effect on human health, primarily female health. It is a complete protein, meaning it contains all important amino acids. Due to that fact, it is used by both athletes and recreationists. Cholesterol and fat content is minimal, making it an easy fit for any diet. Soyisoflavones are key for phytoestrogenous activity. Along with phytosterols, they reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides, making them important for maintaining a healthy heart. it is believed that isoflavones have positive effects on cognitive function, i.e.improvement of brain function.

Proteins – what are they for and how do they affect the body

Proteins consist of amino acids. There are those that contain several dozen or hundreds of amino acids. Proteins are a part of all bone muscles, skin, internal organs and others;they regulate cellular activity, as well as the speed of all biochemical reactions. They have both protective and transport roles, but also, and to us, most importantly, have a building role. Due to all of the above stated, it is necessary to provide the body with necessary amount of protein. There are 23 amino acids important to our bodies. Human body can produce 15 non-essential ones, the remaining eight, the essential ones, must be introduced through food.

Absorption

It is absorbed in the small intestine as amino acids, dipeptides, and, rarely, polypeptides. Absorption is done via active transport, which means that it takes energy to absorb the protein.

Protein metabolism

From the lumen of the small intestine amino acids enter the cells of the small intestine via the carrier (usually some protein), from where they go via blood to the portal vein, then liver, from where they are transported to other organs, where amino acids are used to synthesize protein that the organism needs. This synthesis is the most intense in the liver, muscles and secretory organs. The process of decomposing starts with the deamination, removing the amine molecules, which creates keto acids and ammonia. Ammonia turns into urea and is secreted via kidneys. This is the way that proteins are lost if they are not necessary for creating energy. If the cell needs proteins as an energy source (if the food lacks carbohydrates and fats), after deamination the keto acids will be used as a source of energy. Keto acids easily turn into acetyl coenzyme A, which enters the Kreb’s cycle of tricarbonate acids.  This is the process of glucogenesis, where amino acids turn into glucose and glycogen. There are 18 amino acids capable of transforming this way. Amino acids can also transform into fat acids in the process of ketogenesis. 19 amino acids can transform this way.

Hormone regulation of protein metabolism

Growth hormone – increases the synthesis of protein in the cells and increase of protein level in blood.

Insulin – increases the entry of amino acids into cells, while transporting glucose as well, reducing the use of amino acids as an energy source.

Glucocorticoids—reduce the level of protein in tissue, and increase the concentration of amino acids in plasma. This decomposition of extrahepatic protein is important in keto- and glucogenesis.