If you look at food labels, read health magazines, follow body building trends, or pay attention to scientific research being done on foods and supplements, you will see many listings for whey protein. This by-product of cheese making has been considered a miracle food for centuries, and now clinical studies are supporting that view.

In earlier days, people used to make their own cheese at home. The milky liquid left in the bowl after the cheese solids were pressed together in blocks or wheels was fed to the pigs, since people preferred to drink whole milk or buttermilk. However, when they were sick, they often drank this fortifying residue, which was easy to digest and helped them regain their strength.

Today this protein-rich food is dried and added to many conventional food products, such as granola bars, yogurt, cereals, and health drinks. It is very popular in natural food stores as well. Many people prefer to use this form of amino acid supplementation, since an overabundance of phytoestrogens in soy makes that a poor choice for males of all ages and all younger children. Because there is none of the casein of the original milk, many who are sensitive to whole milk products or cheese can use this singular dairy product.

Whey can be found in its simple dried form, which is relatively inexpensive and has a mild flavor. Most supplemental forms have had much of the fat removed, and they may also be processed to concentrate the amino acid content. Taking this form of powder has been shown to help the body in many ways, as shown by clinical tests and studies. Weight loss, blood glucose control, immune system boosting, and a significant increase in muscle mass versus body fat are some of the benefits that have been documented.

Bodybuilders like this form of dense nutrition for its rapid digestion, which means that taking it immediately after a work out enables the body to increase its muscle mass. The reduced fat content helps to make the muscle definition sharp, the ‘cut’ that bodybuilders strive for. Studies have shown that using this food leads to ‘significant’ loss of body fat even in those not doing resistance training.

However, all people can benefit from adding this product to their diet. Eating it before meals reduces appetite, improves digestion, keeps blood glucose levels from rising sharply after the meal, and helps burn fat. In addition to these weight control and blood sugar effects, it also seems to activate the body’s defenses, have antibacterial properties, and help speed up tissue repair and renewal.

Some bodybuilding products have been found to exceed the limits imposed by health authorities for heavy metal levels. Not all products are equally pure or made with equally strict manufacturing processes. Be sure to check for third-party standard certification before buying products online or in the stores. It is not hard to get satisfactory information on chemical analysis from reputable companies.

There are many choices of whey protein, in all flavors and in combination with vitamins and minerals.

Learn more about whey protein. Stop by Gymbook where you can find out all about protein shakes and what it can do for you.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,