What are The Best Protein Powders

In this follow up article to “Protein Powders,” we will discuss some more of the most widely used protein sources found in today’s protein supplements. As with the first list of proteins, the following proteins each have their own list of benefits and drawbacks, but all can be used successfully to build lean muscle tissue.

The first protein source of discussion is casein. Casein and caseinates are found in milk. These proteins have a biological value (BV) of around 77, which is decent, but not as great as whey or milk protein isolate. Caseins are slow-digesting, mimicking the digestion rate of whole food meals and because of this, they make great before-bed shakes. Because of its’ milk origin, casein/caseinates may cause allergic reactions or stomach discomfort.

Micellar casein is a whole new area of casein protein. Years ago, a very popular supplement company was the first to use real micellar casein in their protein powder. The results were extraordinary because true micellar casein is the only proven anti-catabolic protein, and has been shown to keep amino acid levels elevated for an amazing 7 hours. The down side is that true micellar casein is incredibly expensive to manufacture, and after a period of time, the above mentioned supplement company stopped using real micellar casein, and they slipped from their peak position in the supplement world. These days, because of its’ expense real micellar casein is rarely used. While it may be listed on the label, the odds are more than likely that it is not in the protein powder.

Eggs have been a staple in bodybuilding for years, and they are probably not going anywhere anytime soon. Egg protein has a high biological value of 100, and they were actually the basis for setting up the BV score. On the down side, eggs have a high allergen affinity. In the early 2000’s, an avian (bird) flu caused millions of chickens to have to be slaughtered, and the price of eggs jumped way up. This led to a great increase in the price of egg protein, and many supplement makers abandoned their egg protein powder, while others passed along cheaper proteins as egg. To decipher if your egg protein is real, mix a little in water and put it in the microwave. If it’s real, it should “cook” just like a real egg would.

These proteins can all make excellent additions to your nutrition regimen. Each have their own benefits and drawbacks, but all can provide great gains in strength and muscle mass. Be sure to read the previous article, Protein Powder Pt. 1, to make the best informed decision for choosing your protein supplement of choice.