Whey protein is the product left over after milk is curdled and formed into cottage cheese. If you are interested in a protein supplement that will boost your recovery and healing after a hard workout but doesn’t tolerate lactose, whey isolate may help. Let’s see about whey Vs whey isolate: what is the difference.
How is Whey Protein Harvested
When milk is processed into other forms, including cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt, the fats and milk solids are concentrated into thicker products. However, the remaining liquid still contains milk proteins, fats, and nutrients.
The liquid can be further filtered into whey protein, which offers about 80% protein, whey protein isolate, which offers up to 90% protein and whey protein hydrolysate, which is even easier to digest and often fed to infants.
When choosing a whey protein supplement product, knowing the source of the original milk can lessen your exposure to toxins and chemicals.
How is Whey Isolate Different
Whey isolate offers athletes who struggle with milk products a lot of benefits. According to Legion Athletics, whey isolate protein powder “packs a powerful nutritional punch without the excess protein chains found in milk that can cause digestive distress.”
Not only can whey isolate often pass through your gut without causing a lactose reaction, but the whey isolate products in the Legion line are processed in Irish dairies that follow the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme, or SDAS. The traceability of the products will give you confidence in the quality of concentrated proteins in your whey isolate.
If you are allergic to milk, whey products (even isolates) are not a good choice for you. Your immune system will attack the whey in your gut and the results can be hazardous. However, being lactose intolerant means you don’t have the enzyme lactase in your system. While exposure to lactose can be uncomfortable, it won’t fire up your immune system and put you at risk of a dangerous reaction. Whey isolate may be possible for you to digest.
Benefits of Whey Isolate
Whey isolate packs a powerful protein punch in a single dose, which can increase your recovery in workouts. You may also find that a whey isolate supplement fills you up after a workout, so your food intake is easier to monitor and manage over the course of the day.
If you are working to lose fat and put on muscle weight, whey protein can boost your metabolism while increasing your percentage of lean muscle mass built up during your workout. Finally, many new weight lifters find that whey protein lessens the soreness so common after an intense round of lifting.
Remember that whey is a supplement. You may not feel thirsty after a workout if you have a whey isolate supplement, but you still need plenty of water to help you heal up after a hard round of lifting or intense cardio. Drink plenty of water during your cool down to support your skin, kidneys, liver, and gut. Add a whey isolate shake to support that new muscle growth.
