Whey protein is a high quality protein powder from cow's milk. Milk has two proteins: Casein (approximately 80%) and Whey Protein (approximately 20%). Whey protein is more soluble than casein and also has a higher quality rating. It is often referred to as the "Gold Standard" of protein as it is the most nutritious protein available.

Milk is a highly nutritious beverage however, it only contains about 1% of whey protein. In order to get all the benefits of whey protein, you need to take a concentrated whey protein powder like whey protein isolate.

Whey protein is a combination of a number of individual protein components. In recent years new technology has allowed manufacturers to isolate and further purify many of these for use in new and exciting nutrition and oral care products. Click on any of the individual whey protein components below to learn more about their unique properties and benefits.

BiPro whey protein isolate contains less than 0.5 grams of fat per serving and only 5 milligrams of cholesterol. It is a healthy choice for individuals on a reduced fat diet. The American Heart Association standards suggest you limit cholesterol intake to less than 300 milligrams per day.

Whey protein is a soluble, very easy to digest protein. It quickly enters the body to provide the important essential amino acids needed to nourish muscles and other body tissues. This is one of the reasons it is a common ingredient in infant formula and protein supplements for medical use.

When whey protein is hydrolyzed the protein chains are broken down into smaller segments called "peptides". Hydrolyzed whey protein is still a high quality protein however, it is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than non-hydrolyzed whey protein. It is most commonly used in infant formulas and specialty protein supplements for medical use.

There are no documented side effects provided a person does not have an allergy to dairy proteins or does not need to restrict dairy products for medical reasons. If you are allergic to dairy proteins please consult with a physician prior to consuming any type of whey protein.

Whey protein is a nutritionally complete protein. It contains bioactive ingredients, like immunoglobulins and lactoferrin, that help support the immune system. Athletes prefer whey protein to soy protein due to its rich abundance of branched chain amino acids and its quick absorption rate. These are important to help repair and rebuild muscles after a workout or competitive event. Whey protein has a fresh, neutral taste compared and will not change the taste of foods you add it to.

Yes, there may be a large difference between the two. Whey protein isolate is the most pure and concentrated form of whey protein available. It contains 90% or more protein and very little (if any) fat and lactose. Whey protein concentrate has anywhere between 29% and 89% protein depending upon the product. As the protein level in whey protein concentrate decreases the amounts of fat and/or lactose usually increase.

Whey protein is a high quality, complete protein, with all the essential amino acids. Whey protein is also the richest known source of naturally occurring branched chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine). These are important for active individuals, individuals who exercise and professional athletes.

Yes. Whey protein is not only compatible with low-carbohydrate diets it is an ideal choice. Be sure to select whey protein isolate which provides high quality protein without the carbohydrates and fat often limited in low carbohydrate diets.

Adding whey protein to the diet is a great way to jump-start a weight loss program. Whey protein is a key ingredient in numerous weight loss and meal replacement products and whey protein isolate (with no fat or carbohydrates) is often the preferred choice. Studies have found that individuals who combine diets with leucine rich protein foods, like whey protein, and exercise have more lean muscle tissue and they lose more body fat.

Purity Whey protein is a very high quality complete protein with rich amounts of all the essential amino acids. Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, which is why it is absorbed so quickly and efficiently into the body. Click here to view a table listing various protein sources and their protein quality scores. As you will see, all of the commonly used protein quality-scoring methods show whey protein to be an excellent, high quality source of protein.

Individuals with lactose intolerance should select a pure whey protein isolate, which has less than 0.1 gram of lactose per tablespoon (20 grams). This is less lactose than the amount found in a cup of yogurt and research has shown that most people with lactose intolerance have no trouble taking this very small amount of lactose. Individuals with lactose intolerance should avoid whey protein concentrates as they usually contain lactose and the amount can vary greatly from product to product.

No, pure whey protein does not contain any gluten. However, protein bars and beverages often contain gluten so always check the product ingredient label prior to purchase if it is not allowed in your diet.

Whey protein is a complete high quality protein and should be an acceptable protein source for healthy pregnant women and children, provided they are not allergic to dairy proteins. The second most abundant component in whey protein is alpha-lactalbumin, which is one of the main whey proteins in human breast milk. Infant formulas often contain whey protein, including special formulas for premature infants.

Following bariatric surgery it is important to follow a special diet designed by a physician and/or nutrition professional. Protein plays an essential role in that diet as it is the primary food source following surgery. Inadequate amounts may contribute to hair loss, muscle loss, and poor skin tone. Whey protein isolate is an excellent protein choice post surgery as it is very easy to digest and efficiently absorbed into the body.