Protein powders are made from varying sources like whey, egg, soy, casein, etc. Each supplement differs in content, other than basic protein. This article elaborates on how to choose the best supplement for a person.
Protein serves as the building block of the body. It is one of the most important energy yielding macro nutrients required in large quantities for normal growth and function. It is essential to form the structure of cells, tissues, and muscles, and it plays an important role in the synthesis of hormones and enzymes. Although it is readily available in digestible form in many food items, some people do not get sufficient amount of it from natural food intake. Hence, protein powders are an effective way to meet the daily requirement. They are available in the market made from different sources such as casein, whey, egg, soy, rice, etc. Each one offers unique benefits, and hence, the choice of the best protein powder should be made depending on the purpose one needs it for. One also needs to understand the difference between its types and working.
Whey Protein
Organic whey protein powder is the most commonly used supplement. It offers a number of benefits for the overall health of the body. It has a unique amino acid profile that strengthens the immune system. Also, it can be easily absorbed in the body and has an extremely high biological value. In addition, it has high concentration of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) and Indispensable Amino Acids (IAA). It is believed that it helps in stimulating muscle growth by increasing insulin like growth factor. It is considered as one of the best protein supplements for women for building muscles as well as for overall health.
Casein Protein
It contains the highest amount of amino acid glutamine. This amino acid plays an important role in building and preserving muscle mass, and in boosting the immune system function. This makes casein powder the best supplement for building muscle. It is also known to have anti-catabolic properties, and the amino acids from it remain in the blood for a longer time. The slow digestion of casein makes it ideal to be consumed before bed time. This supplement could be best for those who want to build muscles.
Egg Protein
Eggs are one of the best muscle building foods. They contain a very low amount of carbohydrates, fats, and calories The amino acids contained in them can be easily converted to muscle mass. It can be noted that, this supplement differs in composition to a great extent, as it contains very less amount of inessential nutrients like fats and calories. Hence, it can serve as the best supplement for weight loss and for all those who are trying to cut body fat.
One thing to keep in mind while making a choice is that not all of them are created for the same purpose. Each type contains varying amounts of nutrients such as carbs, calories, fats, and sugars, and hence, they will have varying effects on the body. One will have to make a choice depending on the purpose one needs it for. If looking for a supplement that helps in building muscle, one should go for those having a high protein content per serving, preferably from protein isolates than concentrates. The best powder to build muscle is the one that contains around 50 grams protein per serving. If your aim is to lose weight, then look for the one which has minimum amount of carbs, fats, and sugars. This contains additional ingredients such as iron, vitamin B6, and folic acid.
