Protein Powder General Information

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)

• Whey Protein Isolates (WPI) are the highest protein, lowest carbohydrate containing product of the proteins.  
• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is the most refined protein and also has the lowest lactose content and are typically 99.7% lactose free.   Most people that are slightly lactose intolerant can tolerate a Whey Protein Isolate however if you are very sensitive the only product we would safely recommend is AST’s VP2 which is lactose free.
• WPI from most brands contain approximately 90% protein and >3% carbohydrate with little variation.
• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is best recommended for lean muscle gain only or can be used in combination with a low carbohydrate diet for people wanting to lose body fat.
• Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is the most muscle productive protein and has the highest bioavailability of all protein types, meaning more is up taken into the muscles in a shorter period of time.
• Given most people need 1.2-2g protein per kg body weight per day depending on activity level, we recommend 2-3 serves of Whey Protein Isolate per day at 30g per serve.   This is normally taken with breakfast, after exercise and between dinner and bed time.

Types of WPI

Microfiltered

WPI that is finely filtered to extract excess lactose and other non-protein components from the raw product.   This increases the amount that your muscles can uptake and absorb as the product is very pure.

Ion Exchange or Ionised

Ion Exchange Whey Protein Isolate is produced by using a charge affinity method.   This ensures very high levels of BCAA and other amino acids in the end product.  

Hydrolysed

The most expensive form of filtration and the best.   Very few products are hydrolysed due to the expense but it ensures that near 100% of the protein is in a configuration as to have excellent uptake into the muscles.   This is why VP2 boasts the best lean muscle gains from any protein powder.

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)

• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC ) is typically 78% protein with 5% carbohydrate content.
• The lactose content on most Whey Protein Concentrates (WPC) is around 3%.
• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC ) has slower absorption and lower uptake than a WPI; however it is still a very good lower cost protein form.
• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC ) is harder to mix that WPI and often brands add instantising agents like lecithin and skim milk powder to increase mixability to get around that problem.
• Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC ) is typically used if people want high protein but do not want to pay the price of a WPI.   Alternatively there are some very good WPI/WPC blends where you get the best of both worlds.

Calcium Caseinate

• Calcium Caseinate is a slower releases protein often used prior to bed for sustained release into blood stream.
• Whilst this is slow release far less of it in total is absorbed as apposed to WPI or WPC.
• These slower release Calcium Caseinate protein products are not recommended immediately after workouts as they absorb very slowly and at that point you want the faster releasing protein to get maximal benefit from the product.
• Calcium caseinate based products are typically thicker when made up than WPI or WPC products and hence are more filling and better taken between meals.

Weight Gain Formulas

• People wanting to gain weight should consider products that contain both protein and carbohydrates in the one protein powder.   Products that are nearly all protein are low in calories and hence of not much benefit to those wanting to gain weight.
• Weight gaining protein powders have higher calorie, or energy content which makes it easier for people with very fast metabolisms to gain weight.
• Weight Gain formulas are typically one or multiple proteins mixed with a carbohydrate source.
• The carbohydrate sources in protein powders that include carbohydrates is normally either skim milk powder and/or Maltodextrin.   Both are equally as high in calories but have a few distinct differences.   The skim milk powder is high in naturally occurring sugar (lactose) therefore can, in intolerant people, cause gastrointestinal upsets.   Normally if you can drink milk with no problems you are not one of those people.   The other major option is Maltodextrin which is derived from wheat or corn and whilst it is approximately 95% carbohydrate, it only has about 7% sugar, making it a good option for people wanting to gain weight without gaining excessive amounts of body fat.

Types of Weight Gain Protein Powders

50 : 50 Blends (or Protein Powders that contain half protein and half carbohydrate)

These are protein powders that contain 50% protein and 50% carbohydrates.   These are only used by people with very fast metabolisms, who find it difficult to gain weight.   Normally tall lanky types use these very successfully.   It is very important for people wanting to gain weight that they take the product consistently.   You will need the take these types of products 2-3 times per day, everyday to get a good result.   If you do this diligently and train hard these are of great benefit to those who have previously had great difficulty gaining muscle weight.

70 : 30 Blends (or Protein Powders that contain approx 70% protein and 30% carbohydrates).