Whey Protein Supplements Guide

Whey protein supplements come in the form of powder or ready-to-drink shakes. They’re available in a variety of flavors for the pickiest of taste buds. The main ingredient in these types of supplements is of course whey protein. Whey is the most nutritious form of protein available and it’s also the highest quality protein powder. Whey protein comes directly from cow’s milk.

Whey protein isolate is the most pure and the most concentrated form of whey protein, it’s made of 90% protein and contains very little lactose and fat – usually no fat at all. Whey protein concentrate is made up of between 28-89% protein depending on the item. When protein levels are lower, the amount of fat and lactose levels are usually increased.

Whey protein has a number of jobs that it does in our bodies including building and repairing muscle tissue and bones, providing an energy source, repairing cells in the body and controlling important processes in the body that are directly related to metabolism.

The exact needs of whey protein that a person needs will depend on each individual and what their sex is, their activity level, overall health status, as well as current age and weight. Athletes, professional athletes and those who are regularly active, will always need more whey protein supplements than those who are not active. This is because branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are used both during and after physical activity and the BCAA levels need to be replenished as soon as possible. Low levels of BCAAs contribute to fatigue and whey protein supplements are best taken within 1 hour of physical activity because the whey protein is absorbed quickly and efficiently, replenishing the body with nutrients that were lost.

In general, those who consume more whey protein and couple that with regular exercise have more lean muscle and less amounts of body fat.

Optimum Nutrition had already hit the big time with Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein. Now they have stepped it up even further and have just released Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey. This protein has been hydrolyzed, which means the protein has been strategically broken down into even smaller particles for quicker digestion in the body. Also, all of the excess fats, lactose, cholesterol and carbohydrates have been removed.

Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey Nutrition Details

• 30 grams of whey protein per 1 scoop of powder (compared to 24 grams of whey in ON 100% whey)
• 140 calories per serving
• 1 gram of fat
• 2 grams of carbs

Optimum Nutrition suggests to take in 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight, and this includes all sources of protein – even food. It’s best to spread the protein intake evenly throughout the day. Casein, the slower digesting protein should be taken before bed to help feed the muscles over night.

Optimum Nutrition’s Platinum Hydrowhey is currently available in 2 flavors: Velocity Vanilla and Turbo Chocolate. I have yet to try the chocolate, but the Velocity Vanilla can be compared to ON’s whey Vanilla Ice Cream flavor. The protein powder mixes easily in 20-30 seconds in either milk, juice or water.

Who Should be Buying Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey?

To be honest, it isn’t for everyone. Optimum Platinum Hydrowhey is like the “top dog” whey protein, it’s like a luxury item. Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein will work fine, but the Hydrowhey is for those who are serious about training and have the extra money to spend on a more concentrated form of whey protein.

It’s currently available in 2 sizes: 1.75 lbs. and 3.5 lbs. and ranges in price from $29.99 to $54.99 and up.

This stuff is the real deal. It’s the purest form of whey protein available right now and it’s packed with over 8,000 mg of the branched chain amino acids that our bodies need to help replenish and build the muscles.

Optimum Nutrition whey protein really is the world’s #1 whey protein. It is made up of whey protein isolate which is the purest and most concentrated form of protein available – made up of over 90% protein. The very first ingredient listed on the label is protein blend, which includes whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and whey peptides.

If you are a strength trainer, bodybuilder, athlete or a regularly physically active person, whey protein supplements should be an important part of your diet. The muscles crave whey protein after a workout so they can start the repair and rebuilding process. ON’s whey protein is also very nutritious because it’s protein dense without the added carbohydrates, fats and sugars.

Nutrition Information for Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein

• Optimum Nutrition contains 24 solid grams of protein in just one serving. One serving is just 1 scoop and the number of servings per container will vary depending on the size purchased.
• Over 5 grams of BCAAs (branched chain amino acids)
• 4 grams of carbohydrates
• 1 gram of sugar
• 1.5 grams of fat

Very Consumer Friendly

• Available in 4 sizes: 1 lb., 2 lbs., 5 lbs., and 10 lbs.
• Available in a wide variety of great tasting flavors including: Extreme milk chocolate, orange cream, apple pie, banana cream, chocolate malt, chocolate mint, rocky road, strawberry banana, eggnog, coffee, cookies and cream, double milk chocolate and dozens more.
• Priced very competitively. Bodybuilding.com features Optimum Nutrition whey protein and they also have the lowest prices, lowest shipping costs and fastest shipping times.

Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein has also won ‘overall supplement of the year’ and ‘protein powder of the year’ every year for the past 4 years and I’m willing to bet they’ll win these awards in the near future as well.