How does isolate differ from other types of whey protein * Difference

One of the two main components of milk, whey, is made from the liquid part of milk that is separated from the curds (the second main component) during the cheese making process. Whey contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Because it is rich in amino acids and easy to digest, whey is perhaps the most popular sports nutritional supplement. Whey protein has been scientifically shown to be essential for accelerating muscle protein synthesis, sustainably burning fat, and strengthening the immune system. Also, whey improves insulin sensitivity and significantly reduces appetite. In addition, whey protein concentrate accelerates the production of glutathione, our bodies' No. 1 antioxidant.

What is protein for?

Whey or vegetable protein is used for the following purposes:

gaining muscle mass;
muscle recovery after a hard workout;
improving endurance levels;
strengthening the immune system;
reduction of inflammation;
improvement of liver function;
reducing blood pressure;
relief of stress;
stimulation of the formation of antioxidants for subsequent protection against toxic elements and free radicals.

Useful video

Watch this video on how to choose the right whey isolate:

Rule #1

Which is better: isolate or whey protein? Before we answer this question, we would like to pay attention to one important topic. The fact is that many athletes (usually beginners) believe that protein powders are almost a panacea for those who cannot gain muscle mass. Like, it’s enough to drink such a sports supplement for a month and muscle growth will “trip” on its own. We would like to say right away that this is far from true. It is worth understanding that protein is just a sports supplement, and the key word here is “supplement.” This means that it cannot in any way replace a normal and nutritious diet. If you get enough protein for your body from regular food (eggs, cottage cheese, etc.), then it is quite possible that you do not need protein at all. If, for one reason or another, you don’t get enough protein (being busy at work, because of which you can’t eat normally, high food prices, etc.), then in such a situation protein can really help you.

Harm and side effects

Taking protein supplements helps improve body condition and increase muscle mass. But their uncontrolled use can have side effects and even harm health.

Taking protein supplements helps improve body condition and increase muscle mass

Supplements cannot completely replace all meals.

If overused, the following complications may occur:

Impaired kidney and liver function. An athlete needs about 2 grams of protein per 1 kilogram of weight per day. When consuming a large amount of isolate, this norm is exceeded. As a result, the load on the excretory system and disruption of the kidneys and liver increases.
Lack of nutrients. Although proteins are rich in minerals and amino acids, they cannot fully provide the body with all the necessary substances. As a result, a deficiency of substances occurs and disruption of the functioning of the entire body.
Toxin poisoning. Some additives contain traces of hazardous substances (mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.). Their volume is very small and with moderate protein consumption they do not have a negative effect on the body. But if they are consumed excessively, poisoning occurs.

Compliance with dosages and rules for taking isolate helps to avoid such complications.

Difference between isolate and whey protein

We're done with the introduction, now let's move on to the main topic of the article. What is the difference - protein or isolate? There is no difference. Why? Yes, because the question “Protein and isolate: what is the difference?” is already misplaced because isolate is exactly the same whey protein, just created by a different processing method.

There are three types of whey protein:

Isolate. This type of sports nutrition undergoes high-quality purification, due to which it contains more than 90% of biologically active substances.
Concentrate. It is not highly purified and contains milk sugar and fats (cholesterol). The amount of milk protein varies from 30 to 90%.
Hydrolyzate. The most expensive and highest quality type of whey protein.

Now let's take a closer look at how isolate differs from protein concentrate and protein hydrolysate.

How to take it for girls

The effectiveness of the product depends on its correct application. Therefore, first of all, it is worth reviewing your diet. It is necessary to completely exclude from it all products that may contain sugar and its varieties. The amount of fast or simple carbohydrates should not exceed 150 g per day.

Expert opinion

Yulia Mikhailova

Nutrition expert

The difference between calories consumed and calories received per day should be at least 20%. And the amount of protein should be increased to 2 g per kilogram of weight per day. Moreover, 1 g needs to be obtained from cocktails, and the second from food.

When administering cocktails, it is important to follow the dosage. Protein isolate supplements typically come in chocolate, strawberry, or banana flavors. But it is important to remember that it does not lead to weight loss by itself. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly work out in the gym. Any type of physical activity is suitable. You should exercise at least 3 times a week.

In addition, you need to follow a low-calorie diet, from which sugary drinks, pastries, sweets, chocolate, pasta, and soda will be completely excluded.

For girls to lose weight, protein isolate should be diluted in warm water, not milk. Otherwise it will contribute to weight gain.

The method of taking protein isolate for weight loss is not at all complicated. But at first it requires discipline and willpower. The scheme is as follows:

You need to drink your protein shake in portions. Each time you need to dilute 15 g of powder in water. Plus, you can add special vitamins, for example, “Opti-Womеn”. This way, fat deposits are burned much faster, and the body receives all the necessary nutrients.
The first time you should drink the cocktail is in the morning after sleep.
The second time you need to take protein isolate a couple of hours before the start of your workout. But not earlier, because the protein will not have time to be fully absorbed.
The third time is good to drink a cocktail after class, 1 hour or an hour and a half later. This is the time when muscle fibers are most receptive to nutrients. Protein ensures rapid tissue recovery and regeneration.
You can also take a protein drink at night. This allows the muscles to recover faster.

It is important to understand that a protein shake is one complete meal. Therefore, you can’t eat anything after it. But you also can’t refuse food in general, especially solid food. The diet should be low in calories, but as balanced as possible. The menu should include slow or complex carbohydrates, meat, fish and seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Only an integrated approach will help you lose weight and get your figure in order.

Watch this video on how to properly take protein isolate for weight loss:

Isolate

Isolate is essentially protein in its pure form. It is extracted from milk protein by filtering it. To obtain isolate, you need to dehydrate whey, and then remove lactose, fat and cholesterol from it.

The isolate is obtained in three ways:

Ultrafiltration. Ultrafiltration makes it possible to get rid of large amounts of carbohydrate lactose and preserve beneficial peptides. The only disadvantage of this method is that it limits the number of protein components in the finished isolate (namely, albumin and cystine).
Ionic isolation. The material for ion exchange is whey protein concentrate. Using this method, you can obtain a higher concentration of protein, without the necessary peptides. This can be explained by the fact that a number of biologically active substances are lost during purification.
Cross filtering. Cross filtering is the “golden mean” between the two previous methods. Thanks to this method, you can obtain a concentrated mixture of proteins with active peptides, which will not contain lactose and fats.

Protein isolate - difference from protein concentrate

The difference between protein and isolate is not a completely correct question. We have already figured out that isolate is a form of whey, and not a separate type of protein. So let’s look at the difference between isolate and another popular form - concentrate.

The isolate always goes through a purification process, and as a result we get a product with virtually no foreign components (carbohydrates, fats and sugar). A distinctive feature of this protein mixture is the high rate of absorption and the presence of more than 90% protein. This became possible thanks to the introduction of two technologies in protein production:

Ion exchange. During this processing, the amount of protein in the mixture becomes maximum. The disadvantage of the technology is the complete purification of the composition from many peptides useful for the athlete. The composition also contains a high content of beta-lactoglobulin, which often causes allergic reactions.
Microfiltration. This technology is considered more modern and advanced, as it allows you to obtain different subfractions of whey protein. There are several methods of microfiltration, among which the most common in production are nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and dynamic membrane filtration.

It is obvious that protein obtained by microfiltration is now the most popular. However, in both cases, the protein content in the finished product will reach 90% and sometimes go beyond this figure.

Concentrate

Initially, this type of whey protein was used in the food industry, often in the production of confectionery products. The concentrate contains a minimal amount of protein (no more than 40%), but otherwise it consists of additional substances such as lactose, peptides, lipids, fat, etc. Among these components there are both useful elements and not so useful ones.

The concentrates that are produced today are better than the old-style concentrates in almost every way. How is isolate different from whey protein concentrate? Modern concentrates contain at least 80% protein, a small amount of fat, as well as additional biologically active components.

The type of protein discussed is obtained by filtering liquid through ceramic membranes. The holes in these membranes retain large protein fractions and also allow molecules of fats and carbohydrates to pass through. In this case, the filter holes can be of different sizes. This may explain the fact that a certain amount of fat and lactose ends up in the final product.

Concentrate is the cheapest type of whey protein.

Rating of the best brands

Many companies are engaged in the production and sale of sports supplements. It's easy to get confused in such diversity.

To purchase high-quality protein and not waste money, you need to focus on time-tested brands of supplements. It is worth choosing products that have been sold for many years and have positive reviews from athletes.

Dymatize Nutrition ISO 100

Dymatize Nutrition ISO 100
This isolate is one of the most popular among athletes and those losing weight. It contains only protein and no carbohydrates. A serving of the supplement provides 28 grams of pure protein and only 106 kcal.

Numerous reviews contain positive ratings and evidence of the effectiveness of the product. An additional advantage is the absence of an unpleasant aftertaste.

Lactalis Prolacta 95

This is a protein from a French manufacturer.

It is a highly purified product and is used for the production of sports and baby food. The isolate contains 95% protein and 1% carbohydrates.

This isolate is made from whole milk, not whey.

Due to this, high nutritional value is maintained. Thanks to special cleaning, the risk of an allergic reaction is reduced. It can be consumed by people with lactose intolerance.

Syntrax Nectar

This isolate is loved by many customers for its variety of flavors.

At the same time, its tastes are pleasant and do not give off excessive chemicals or a metallic aftertaste. Each serving of the supplement contains 24 grams of protein and a minimum of fat and carbohydrates.

Many reviews indicate strong foaming and poor solubility as disadvantages. But these two characteristics are signs of the quality of a good protein.

Platinum Hydrowhey from Optimum Nutrition

Platinum Hydrowhey by Optimum Nutrition
This is a popular brand of sports supplements. You can find many positive reviews about this isolate; it is sold in all sports nutrition stores.

It contains a mixture of isolate and concentrate, and the amount of fat and carbohydrates is reduced to a minimum. The line of flavors is represented by 22 variants of different combinations, as well as 3 natural additives without sweeteners.

Among the advantages, consumers note good solubility without lumps, even in a regular bottle.

Zero Carb by VPX

In the production of this isolate, cross-flow filtration is used, which ensures a high quality product without a single gram of fats and carbohydrates.

The powder contains 20 grams of protein per serving. Several flavor options help diversify your diet.

Hydrolyzate

Hydrolyzate is the most expensive type of protein. It is a product of whey hydrolysis. The protein elements found in the hydrolyzate enter the body in a split form, which allows the product to be completely absorbed.

What is the difference between isolate and hydrolyzed protein? The hydrolyzate is known for its fast action. Literally 15 minutes after consuming it, the protein components end up in the muscles of your body.

The price of this nutritional supplement is determined by the level of protein breakdown in the mixture. The cheapest hydrolysates contain only 50% digested proteins and 50% intact (that is, not digested). Reviews say that after consuming this protein, a bitter aftertaste remains. But high-quality, expensive hydrolysates are completely contained from broken down proteins.

Choosing Protein for Weight Loss

To get a positive result, you should choose the right foods rich in protein.

During the survey, many athletes agreed that whey protein was the best method for destroying accumulated fat. This is the most common type of protein and is made from whey. It has an exceptionally rich composition, containing all the amino acids necessary for the body.

Professional athletes take protein to gain muscle mass; it protects muscle fibers from “burning” during dietary nutrition.

The advantage of protein in the form of whey is the rapid rate of breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract. All amino acids enter the body within 30 minutes. You should drink it in small doses.

There are three types of protein:

hydrolyzate;
concentrate;
isolate.

The last one is the best for weight loss. It does not contain carbohydrates, fats, lactose and other elements that will interfere with the process of getting rid of extra pounds.

If you eliminate fat deposits without taking protein, the body will experience an acute shortage of protein

A great way to reduce weight is to consume whey protein isolate. It consists of pure protein, and the human body quickly absorbs all the necessary amino acids. But to benefit from it, you need to train regularly. Otherwise, whey isolate for weight loss will not bring a positive result.

Another important condition is the diet of a person who wants to lose a few kilograms. It should not contain high-calorie food, then energy is taken by the body from fat deposits.

Whey protein isolate for weight loss should enter the body in a volume of approximately 1-1.2 g per 1 kg of body weight. Do not forget that this is a supplement, so your diet must include simple foods. To achieve a positive result, isolate for weight loss should be taken 12-15 g at a time.

To achieve success in losing weight, you need to follow two rules:

Reduce intake of fats and carbohydrates.
Leave protein intake unchanged.

Without enough whey protein, your muscles will become flabby and your weight loss process will slow down. Therefore, the isolate must enter the body on time and in the correct quantity. After all, it is he who gives the muscle mass pure protein without impurities.

In rare cases, protein for weight loss can be consumed instead of the main meal. This can be done a couple of times a month; you should not get carried away with such nutrition.

A big plus of whey protein is its unique rich composition.

How to take whey protein for weight loss? The isolate is a powder. For consumption, it is most convenient to dilute it in milk or water. The positive effect will be noticeable if you take protein for weight loss two hours before and after exercise in the gym.

What is better to choose: isolate or another type of whey protein?

Everything is individual. The best protein is not the one that contains a lot of protein, but the one that is ideal for your goal. First, decide what you need protein for - to gain muscle mass, increase endurance levels, or strengthen the immune system? Isolate and hydrolyzate are best taken after a difficult and grueling training session, when muscle fibers require the necessary elements for recovery. The concentrate, despite the presence of fats and carbohydrates, has a higher biological value and is therefore more beneficial for the body as a whole.

How to use isolate

To get the effect, you need to properly plan the use of protein isolate throughout the day.

In the morning you should drink it immediately after waking up. This reduces the nighttime amino acid deficiency.
Throughout the day, it is necessary to maintain balance with the help of combined supplements.
The main thing is to eat after training. This is necessary to begin the anabolic process, for this you need to take “fast” whey isolate 20-120 minutes after completing strength exercises. The absorption time of whey protein is from 20 to 40 minutes.

To gain muscle mass, the daily dose can vary from 250 to 300 g for men and from 180 to 300 g for the fair sex. But basically this is calculated individually, since the dose depends on body weight and tendency to be overweight.

For sculpted muscles, representatives of the stronger sex will need to consume 180-220 g of this supplement, and women – 140-200 g.

Young girls can also take protein isolate for weight loss. But it is better not to use it during pregnancy and breastfeeding to avoid stress on the kidneys. An experienced trainer or nutritionist will tell you how long you can drink protein.

Protein powder should be consumed only in recommended dosages. The main criterion is good health.

Whey protein will not give any effect if you do not load your body

Some novice athletes replace protein powder with baby food, arguing that it contains a large amount of vitamins, but forgetting that it also contains fats and carbohydrates, and the protein itself in 100 g of the mixture is no more than 20 g. For a baby, this is quite enough , but for an adult – no.

Therefore, the answer to the question: “Is it possible to replace protein with baby food?” - definitely not. This will not bring positive results either for your health or for your wallet. Baby food is formulated for babies, not adults. It is better to purchase protein isolate for weight loss.

People who start drinking protein shakes are worried: what will happen if they stop drinking protein? Will beautiful body shapes disappear? If you need to stop taking protein powder for any reason, you should do so gradually. It does not cause any addiction. The main thing is not to cancel physical activity.

Girls who want to lose extra pounds are interested in: what can replace protein isolate at home? Yes it is possible.

To do this, you need to prepare your own protein shake from:

skim milk;
dry milk powder;
cottage cheese with 0% fat content;
raw chicken egg;
sweetener.

You can add berries, fruits, pieces of ice. But this mixture will vaguely resemble protein isolate. After all, the latter is made from pure protein. It is crushed in special equipment and mixed with different flavoring additives.

The protein isolate is instantly absorbed into the blood, and a protein shake prepared at home will take about three hours to digest.

The harm of whey protein

Since whey protein is just a dietary supplement, it itself does not pose any harm to the human body. But there is one “but”: to make protein powder tastier, manufacturers often add various sweeteners or flavors to them. And now they may no longer be very beneficial for the body.

Whey protein (especially concentrate) should not be consumed by athletes with lactose intolerance. The body's reaction to the rejection of foreign protein is expressed in digestive problems (intestinal colic, flatulence).

Additionally, people who have kidney disease should only consume protein in foods. Rapid absorption of polypeptides from sports supplement powder may aggravate kidney disease.

Other types of protein for weight loss

You can use other types of protein isolate for weight loss.

Casein, which is found in cottage cheese, will be a good assistant in this matter. It is better to use it before bedtime. Casein protects muscles from catabolism and satisfies hunger well. Purified casein isolate is good for weight loss. Similar to whey protein, it contains no impurities.
Soy isolate for weight loss is a complete replacement for whey. It is made from soybeans. The advantage is the price and composition of the product. It has minimal calorie content, which is a big plus for weight loss. It can be drunk by people who are allergic to animal protein. The disadvantage is the minimal amount of amino acids and protein (no more than 50%).
Egg protein is known to every athlete or person who watches their figure. It was this substance that was used in bodybuilding in the past to increase muscle mass. It has a lot of amino acids and is part of many protein mixtures. Egg white contains a small amount of carbohydrates and can be drunk at any time, but not before bed.
Milk protein isolate consists of casein and whey protein. It contains a lot of amino acids, and you can drink it throughout the day; there is no clear regimen for taking it. It is often combined with other protein sources.

Whey protein isolate is the best protein option for weight loss

Plant protein

You already know how isolate differs from other types of proteins. But it would be wrong for us not to talk about vegetable protein, which has recently also become very popular among visitors to gyms and fitness centers. Plant-based protein is well suited for vegetarians and vegans because, as the name suggests, it contains no animal products. In fact, plant protein is in many ways similar to animal protein, but with the only exception that it almost completely lacks two essential amino acids - methionine and lysine. In addition, animal proteins have higher levels of arginine and glycine.

What is the difference between isolate and whey protein? We think that after reading this article you will no longer ask this question. We hope that the facts that we provided in our publication were interesting to you and that you learned a lot of useful information. We wish you success in your training!

Why do you need protein isolate for weight loss?

The substance performs the following functions in the human body:

promotes the correct and coordinated functioning of all tissues and organs - supplies the body with the protein necessary for the construction of cells;
prevents muscle tissue from being wasted during weight loss;
has a beneficial effect on the condition of internal organs consisting of muscle tissue (heart, uterus, intestines);
activates metabolic processes thanks to its constituent amino acids;
improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Products supplied with the additive are processed faster;
increases the body's protective functions, protecting it from the influence of viruses and bacteria;
Provides the body with energy, resulting in increased performance.

Protein for weight loss is an effective way to improve your appearance.

The supplement will allow you to quickly reduce fat deposits in the abdomen and thighs. Allows you to maintain the volume of muscle tissue. As a result, a slender body with smooth lines is formed.

How to use isolate correctly?

Protein isolate for weight loss is consumed in the form of a cocktail - the powder is diluted with warm water.

Rules for using the product:

during weight loss, flour and sweet foods are excluded from the diet;
to prepare the drink, powder (1 scoop) is mixed with water;
to stir the mixture you must use a shaker;
the product should be consumed immediately after preparation;
the cocktail is suitable for a snack before training (no earlier than 2 hours before it starts);
take separately from meals.

There are 2 options for taking protein isolate:

diet;
balanced diet (fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals).

The rate of weight loss after taking the supplement is individual in each case and depends on the characteristics of the body.

Recipes Using Soy Isolate

The additive must be diluted with some liquid. This provides a wide field for experimentation in terms of taste and benefits.

A tasty and nutritious smoothie is made from milk or low-fat yogurt and banana. For a glass of dairy product, take one medium-sized banana and one scoop of isolate. The ingredients are mixed in a blender. You can consume this cocktail instead of one of your meals or 30-40 minutes before training.
Another healthy smoothie recipe includes canned apricots or peaches and oatmeal. You will need several fruits, a tablespoon of finely ground flakes (No. 3) and a glass of clean, preferably boiled, water. The ingredients are mixed using a blender with the addition of one scoop of isolate.
Isolated soy protein is also used in cooking. Popular recipes include beef cutlets with a protein supplement. You will need 0.5 kg of ground beef, a medium-sized onion, 1 chicken egg and seasonings (to taste). After mixing the ingredients, add 3 tablespoons of soy protein isolate. The mass is thoroughly mixed and then cutlets are formed from it. Before frying, they need to be rolled in wheat flour, and then placed in a frying pan greased with a small amount of oil. Fry for 7-8 minutes on each side. The dish is ready to eat. You can additionally stew the fried cutlets by pouring them with a small amount of water and placing them in the oven for 20 minutes (temperature 180-200 degrees).

Protein for losing weight

Many people recommend using whey protein to get rid of extra pounds. It is produced from whey. The cost of such protein is low, it is characterized by a high rate of breakdown of adipose tissue, a large amount of amino acids and nutrients. Whey protein is quickly absorbed, it will take all of half an hour.

You need this protein in small portions immediately after training or performing strength training. The product contains purified protein obtained through high-quality filtration and ion exchange.

Protein helps:

Saturate muscles with amino acids, restore their functionality;
Stop the process of muscle tissue destruction;
Speed up metabolism;
Accelerate the process of breaking down adipose tissue;

Be sure to read: The effectiveness of Leovit jelly for weight loss

It is recommended to use some simple rules to achieve maximum results:

The diet should include those foods that contain a minimum amount of carbohydrates and fats.
Do regular physical activity, you can go to the gym.
You need to take isolate in the amount of one gram per kilogram of body weight.
It is recommended to use the biological supplement not only after training, but also before eating in the amount of ten grams.