Health Tips

Q. What is whey protein?

A. Until recently, egg whites were the best source of lean complete protein, and were the favorite for athletes and body builders. However, in 1992, a high-tech process was developed to extract the pure amino acids from whey-a by-product of the cheese-making process-which was until then loaded with lactose (milk sugar). This process resulted in lean complete whey protein -the purest, most biological available source of protein that had ever existed, that was fat free, and sugar free. It was also more convenient than egg whites-it was available in a great-tasting powder that could be purchased and stored in large quantities.

Today whey protein is still the best source of protein in existence. It has the highest amino acid profile of any protein, meaning it contains the highest quantities, per portion, of all the essential amino acids, including Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs). This makes it the most biological available, meaning it is most easily assimilated by your body, particularly your muscles. High quality whey proteins have very little to no fat, and are lactose free, or virtually lactose free. The nutritional label should show less than one gram of simple sugar per scoop serving. And whey protein supplements should contain no artificial sweeteners. They should be sweetened with stevia extract, kiwi extract or another natural equivalent. Some whey supplements are artificially sweetened with aspartame marketed as Nutri-sweet®, Equal or spoonful, acetyl-sulphame-K, sucralose. Given that artificial sweeteners are known neurotoxins, you want to avoid them at all costs.

Q. What is the difference between whey and soy protein?

A. Whey protein is a complete protein, meaning it has all the essential amino acids, and branched chain amino acids. Only animal sources of protein are complete. Soy, being a plant source (a carbohydrate) is an incomplete protein – it is missing methionine , one of the essential amino acids. Soy protein is also not very biologically available form of protein, meaning that it is not very readily absorbed by your body. Whey on the other hand is the most biologically available source of protein on the planet. To get the benefits of soy, namely, the isoflavones, we recommend taking Mega Soy Extract capsules = which contains the isoflavones without the carbohydrates.

Q. What is an acceptable sweetener?

A. Artificial sweeteners of all kinds are on the top of the avoid list, because they are neurotoxic (kill brain cells) and raise insulin levels. Examples are aspartame, marketed as Nutrasweet, Equal and Spoonful, saccharin, and the latest additions Acetyl-sulphame-K and sucralose. Sugar of any kind: white sugar, raw, brown, turbinado, honey, maple syrup, glucose, fructose, maltodextrose, and anything ending with “ose” will all raise blood sugar and in turn raise insulin. The only two sweeteners currently available that do not raise insulin levels and are not toxic in any way are: the herb stevia, and kiwi concentrate.