Organic Whey Protein Powder – A Complete Guide
Organic whey protein powder is an easy, safe way to enjoy all of this wonder supplement’s many health and muscle-building benefits. Now consumers can get those all-important amino acids without any traces of the pesticides, preservatives, or additives associated with non-organic products.
How Whey is Made
Whey is a potent combination of globular proteins isolated from the carbohydrates and sugars in milk when making cheese. Firstly, casein (which is the curd most recognizable in cottage cheese) is separated from the milk product meant for cheese production. Next, the remaining liquid whey section is sent through filters that separate it further from lactose and other non-whey ingredients.
The whey then goes through a gentle purification process called ion exchange specifically aimed at not messing with the makeup of its important nutrients. Finally, it is sent to a drying tower where the water is removed to be turned into protein powder with organic whey.
What can Whey do for you?
Whey is an abundant source of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which fuels working muscles and promotes protein synthesis to speed up recovery from a wide variety of stresses and strains on the body.
Whey protein is being studied for its disease-fighting properties and as a supplement in treating several illnesses where this protein can stimulate the regeneration of tissue necessary for healing. Studies conducted on rats have suggested that whey protein could help fight inflammation and have anti-cancer properties.
The Potential of the Powder Form
Purchasing whey in powder form is the ultimate in convenience. Consumers don’t need to be skilled in the kitchen, follow tricky instructions, or set aside much time to get their daily dose – all it takes is a scoop.
Its ease of use leaves it up to the individual how they would like to enjoy their organic whey protein powder. People can mix two scoops per day with water, yogurt, milk, or any food they would prefer. The bonus is that in powder form, consumers can easily measure the amount they would like or should be taking.
Going the Organic Whey
Organic whey is made from cows that have only been grass fed and have not been treated with bovine growth hormones (BGH) to increase milk production. By only using organic whey protein powder, consumers can enjoy all its health benefits without worrying about how its production would have resulted in any stress for these animals.
However, perhaps a more important consideration for the health conscious is the avoidance of unnatural hormones in milk (that could raise the risk of hormone related cancer) or synthetic pesticides (that are known carcinogens).
When to Take Whey
Taking whey protein before going to bed can help those who are trying to extract the maximum disease fighting and lean muscle mass building properties of whey. The human growth hormone peaks at night, and the amino acids found in protein, can help to repair the body’s stresses and strains or build muscle mass while you sleep.
Studies show that taking whey protein before, during, or after working out will both ease muscle soreness, increase endurance, and aid in its recovery markedly in the post-workout phase.
Organic whey protein powder’s convenience and purity mean that those looking to take advantage of its health benefits can stick to this routine easily and with assurance that they are avoiding any risks associated with unknown additives or harming the environment.
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Benefits of Organic Whey Protein Powder
With all of the buzz about the health benefits of organic food products and nutritional supplements, there has been a sharp increase in the demand for organic whey protein powder. Essentially, the whey used in the powder comes from cows that have been grass-fed and never injected with any form of growth hormones. Because of this, the whey is thought to be better for the body overall and not chemical-laden.
Building Muscle
Bodybuilders and athletes all know the benefits of whey protein to help increase size, and strength and speed up recovery times. Whey protein contains all of the essential amino acids that your body requires, including those that your body needs to build muscle tissue but cannot make on its own.
This includes more branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, than any other natural food source. BCAAs bypass your liver and are metabolized directly by your muscle tissue providing the body with a readily available source of energy and limiting exercise-induced muscle damage.
Losing Weight
Studies have shown that consuming whey protein twice daily is more effective than meal replacement shakes when it comes to fat loss. Protein is generally understood to keep people fuller for a longer time by suppressing ghrelin (a hormone that stimulates hunger) while stimulating cholecystokinin, or CCK (signaling that your brain is full).
The digestion of protein expels more calories than any other food group which is why it is great for individuals looking to burn fat and keep muscle. Whey protein helps a dieter fit extra servings of high-quality protein into their eating plan with no added fat or sugar and all of the amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own.
Disease Fighting
Research now suggests that one of the benefits of organic whey protein could be a reduction in the development of illnesses like cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease. Studies have shown that fat in the blood and liver cells decreased dramatically, which would reduce the risk of heart disease and liver disease.
Another study has suggested that whey protein can build cellular glutathione levels. Glutathione aids the body in fighting against free radical damage and certain toxins. Studies in animals have suggested that the milk proteins found in whey protein could reduce the risk of cancer.
Regulating Blood Sugar
Experts now believe that whey proteins could stimulate insulin release in type 2 diabetics resulting in a reduction in blood sugar spikes, more stable blood sugar levels, and a steadier supply of energy.
Scientists aren’t clear exactly which amino acids and hormones in whey protein seem to be responsible for this but have found that neither ham nor beef provides the same benefits. It isn’t just typed 2 diabetics that stand to benefit. These findings support the belief that supplementing an eating plan with whey protein will aid in weight management and satiety.
Stress Reduction
One of the more unusual benefits of supplementing with whey could be calming qualities. Whey protein slows the production of cortisol (a stress hormone) to reduce stress and depression while helping to release the calming hormone serotonin.
Tryptophan (the amino acid responsible for making serotonin)is abundant in whey protein. Studies have found that those who consumed whey protein experienced fewer symptoms of depression and seemed in a better mood than those who did not.
While whey has been around for years, experts are only now beginning to understand the full extent of the benefits to your health. Adopting a regime of regularly supplementing with organic whey is proven to help with everything from your waistline to your mood.
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How To Choose Best Organic Whey Protein Powder
Bodybuilders and athletes have used whey protein as a staple for years now. However as experts have begun to research and discover this supplement’s many benefits, many just want to know how to tell just which is the best.
Check the Label
Experts warn novice whey protein consumers to pay careful attention to the label. Firstly, watch out for long lists of ingredients and avoid ingredients that are difficult to pronounce. Generally following these two rules will ensure you are buying the most natural and healthy product available by avoiding dangerous chemicals that could be bad for you.
One study has found that 15 protein drinks tested contained at least one sample of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury — all of which can have harmful effects on the body.
Ingredients to Avoid
When it comes to choosing the best whey protein, consumers want to ensure they are getting the highest concentration of protein per serving. Carbohydrates and fat are easy to come by in everyday foods. Often, the limiting factor of a whey protein product is the other ingredients mixed into it with even vitamins and minerals meaning less whey per pound.
A glance at the numbers in the Supplement Facts panel will let you know the balance of whey protein to the fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that one wouldn’t necessarily be looking for.
Look at the Numbers
To make sure a whey powder supplement will pack the best protein punch, reach for a calculator. The number of grams of protein in a serving as described on the label should be divided by the grams of a serving size.
To be considered high quality, the percentage of protein per serving should be between 80% and 95%. These products might be a little more expensive but when it comes to building muscle quickly and reaping all the health benefits, skimping means that this purchase will just be a waste of money.
Best Protein Possible
Certain proteins are better than others and these include isolated or hydrolyzed whey protein. Whey protein isolates promise the most potent form of protein commercially available and “hydrolyzed” means that this high-quality whey has been pre-digested into finer fragments for faster digestion.
Plain whey protein concentrate endures minimal filtering, which means more of the sugars in milk remain in the whey powder resulting in a lower protein content. Although some whey protein concentrates can contain 70-80% protein, a large number can be less than 35% protein.
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Evaluate Your Own Goals
Each consumer needs to decide on their own needs and uses for supplementing with whey protein when choosing the correct supplement. Those looking to lose some weight will want to cut out calories, carbohydrates, and sugars in a product or mix their whey protein powder in a shake to act as a meal replacement.
Muscle builders or athletes should keep a beady eye on the quality of protein they are purchasing but can include added calories or carbohydrates for an energy boost. Consumers interested in whey protein’s health benefits will want to avoid any added preservatives so as not to hamper the supplement’s positive benefits.
The whey protein powder market has grown dramatically over the years and the marketing of these supplements can be overwhelming. This is why it is more important than ever to check the label and consider your own needs before putting a product in your shopping basket.
Don’t Compromise – Choose the Top Protein Powders
Not all protein powders are created equal and we recommend that you stick to the top protein powders. Some of the cheaper brands will utilize sub-standard extraction techniques, and this can result in lower levels of actual protein in your product and in some amounts of damaged protein which your body will not be able to use effectively.
Top protein powders, such as those recommended on this website, guarantee that the protein is of the highest quality and will ensure that you get the best results out of your training. In addition, the top protein powders will be free of lactose and therefore can be used by lactose-intolerant individuals without any problems.
