Protein

I get a lot of questions regarding which protein is best and how to tell.

 1) Whey is king but Rice is a great alternative for those with sensitive guts or allergies.

 2) You need a lot more protein than you think.

Below are some things to consider with Whey as it is an animal product.

The 7 Essentials to Look For in Your Whey Protein Powder

1. All-natural, grass fed cows' whey, NOT pesticide-treated, grain-fed cows' whey Compared to grain-fed cows, grass fed cows produce whey that:
   
   • Is nutritionally superior to grain fed
   • Contains an impressive amino acid and immuno-supportive nutrient profile
   • Is rich in healthy fats--lipolic acid and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)

2. Hormone-free Cows, NOT hormonally-treated cows Many American dairy farmers inject the hormone rBGH in dairy cows to increase milk production. This hormone has been linked to serious disease and illness, including cancer. I recommend that you choose whey made from hormone-free cows.
   
3. Cold processed, NOT heat processed Most whey is heat processed which:
   
   • Makes the whey acidic and nutritionally deficient
   • Damages the immuno-supportive micronutrients and amino acids
   • Makes whey less-than-optimal for  nutrition
   Cold processed whey protects the nutrients in their natural state.
   
4. Acid-free processing, NOT Acid / Ion Exchange Processing Acid / Ion Exchange Processing is cheaper than acid-free processing, but it denatures the amino acid profiles by using acids and chemicals to separate the whey from the fats.
   
5. Whey protein concentrate, NOT protein isolates Protein isolates are proteins stripped away from their nutritional cofactors. There are three problems with that...
   
   • All isolates are exposed to acid processing.
   • Your body cannot assimilate proteins in isolated form.
   • Due to over-processing, isolates are deficient in key amino acids and nutritional cofactors.
6. Sweetened naturally, NOT artificially, and low carb Most whey products are artificially sweetened making them less-than-optimal if you have sugar sensitivities, or just don't want to put artificial sweeteners or flavors into your body.
   I recommend that your whey be low glycemic, low carb and not contain any artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohol, glycerin, fructose, sugar or gluten.
   
7. Maximum biological value, NOT compromised or damaged Most whey proteins provide some benefit. But, due to the ingredients, the source of the whey, the concentration of beneficial nutrients, or the type of processing, many whey products simply don't deliver what they promise.
   

You want whey that's guaranteed to retain its maximum biological value -- one with all the key amino acids, cofactors and beneficial micronutrients present and intact rather than compromised or damaged, and not missing any amino acids or essential nutrients.