87 replies to this topic

[zoolander]

Now there are a million and one brands selling protein powders on the market. Alot of these companies are claiming that their brand is the best.

What are people's thoughts here?

Let's try and do a little market research

Catagories for best whey protein

1. Quality of protein (i.e. bioavailability, digestability and so on)
2. Taste
3. Pricing

One of the biggest problems I have with protein powders is their digestability. Most that I have tried give me gas.

Another problem is the taste.

[boily]

I'm using "Balance muscle technology" 100% ion exchange WPI. I'm very happy with it, totally unflovoured, 92% protein including 26% BCAA. It's made in New Zealand, tastes great with a raw cocoa powder. 0.4% fat, 0.5% carbs. Not giving me gas.
I like it for the lack of artificial sweetners, which most brands are laced with. Price $130 for 3KG and here in Australia, not too bad....... I'm taking 60 - 90 grams a day, more on work out days.....

[fearfrost]

I use gold standard 100% whey. Taste amazing! and I dont get gas...

[Shepard]

I use a few different powders, but the whey I use:

True Protein WPI Ion-Exchange

It is quite good with BSL chocolate flavoring and sucralose. Yes, sucralose. Oh, the horror. I usually toss in Aminogen with the powders from True Protein since it isn't much extra.

[buck1s]

I use cross flow microfiltration (ceramic) whey isolate from proteinfactory.com. I get unsweetened, unflavored for my oatmeal, and fruit punch (stevia sweetened, other sweeteners to choose from) flavor for post strength training. No digestive issues, but then I try to eat many fiber-ous things every day so maybe I'm already conditioned to any extra gas.

[lynx]

Ergopharm GF-Pro, expensive, but amazing.

[ajnast4r]

imo, jarrow whey concentrate... cheap, and has verified levels of desirable protein fractions. + no artificial sweetners or flavors. its 13$ for 2.2lbs on vitacost
http://www.vitacost....ulasWheyProtein

but if youre getting gas you should be using an isolate, and consider using aminogen
SYNTRAX nectar is a good isolate, which also keeps the fraction levels in check. they make a 'natural' version also... which tastes like candy btw
http://www.bodybuild...re/syn/nat.html



i just ordered a blend off trueprotein.com:

30% Whey Protein Isolate Microfiltrated
30% Whey Protein Concentrate
10% Hydrolyzed Whey Protein High Grade
15% Complete Milk Dairy Isolate
15% Micellar Casein
Aminogen
Stevia
BSL watermelon

[tintinet]

That plasma protein kinda freaks me out, for some odd reason. I was vegetarian for many years, but not partake of fish, occasional other animal flesh (almost always grass fed/free range/organic), and ovolacto products. Something about bovine plasma...

[Matt]

I just use this one

http://www.reflex-nu...s/whey_protein/

Tastes real nice, and i've never had any problems with gas lol.

[ajnast4r]

yea the whole spray dried blood thing... gross

[health_nutty]

When I was doing protein shakes I found taking it with a ginger pill eliminated the gas entirely.

[tintinet]

I just use this one

http://www.reflex-nu...s/whey_protein/

Tastes real nice, and i've never had any problems with gas lol.

They appear to sell quite a variety of protein products. Which do you use?

Thanks!

[Matt]

http://www.reflex-nu...ocument_3_2.php

heres a breakdown of the product

Instant Whey (25g per serving)

    * Nutrition Information per 100 grams
    *
    * Protein 78 grams
    * Carbs 3.6 grams
    * Fat 5.2 grams
    * Digezyme 160mg
    * Lactospore® 200 million spores
    * Protein Composition %
    * ß-Lactoglobulin 43%
    * a-Lactalbumin 15%
    * Glycomacropeptide 18%
    * Immunoglobulin 5%
    * Serum Albumin 3%
    * Lactoferrin & others 16%


Whey protein powders have been made by Reflex Nutrition for over 10 years, when you choose a protein powder from Reflex you are buying the best.

Interesting fact: Instant Whey is our best selling protein powder. In fact its probably the best selling, most widely respected whey protein powder in the U.K today. It is the only whey protein powder that is independantly tested every single month to prove beyond doubt that it meets the label claim of a minimum protein content of 78%.

Some important changes have been made to advance the quality of this product beyond the norm. The most important change is the preferential selection of batches of protein for use in Instant Whey. This preferential selection means that Instant Whey is now of even higher quality, boasting higher levels of un-denatured protein, easier mixing and superior taste.

Reflex Instant Whey has one of the highest biological values of any protein supplement on the market due to its excellent amino acid profile, protein fraction content and superior digestibility.

Reflex Instant Whey also contains the highest concentration of Branch Chain Amino Acids (B.C.A.A) when compared to other protein sources. This high concentration is vital because B.C.A.A's are used predominantly for muscle metabolism and energy.

The big difference between other standard whey products and Instant Whey are the standard inclusion of very special Digezyme enzymes and Lactospore pro-biotics. Digezyme enzymes have been extensively studied and shown to enhance protein digestion, whilst Lactospore pro-biotics, similar to those found in yoghurt, provide for a healthier gut.

Importantly you will NOT find any added carbohydrates, salt or guar gum which means that Instant Whey, on average, contains an extra 5-10% more protein than other leading brands.

[tintinet]

When I was doing protein shakes I found taking it with a ginger pill eliminated the gas entirely.

Thanks for the tip.

Which ginger pill? (How much ginger? Form?(I assume dried powder))

[ajnast4r]

I use a few different powders, but the whey I use:

True Protein WPI Ion-Exchange

It is quite good with BSL chocolate flavoring and sucralose. Yes, sucralose. Oh, the horror. I usually toss in Aminogen with the powders from True Protein since it isn't much extra.

you should be avoiding inio exchange whey...

its the "dirtiest" method of isolation, and destroys alot of the beneficial protein fractions

[Shepard]

you should be avoiding inio exchange whey...

its the "dirtiest" method of isolation, and destroys alot of the beneficial protein fractions

Yeah, I'm aware of the loss of many of the more beneficial subfractions with ion-exchange processing. I don't really view powders as anything more than pure protein supplementation. I agree that if you are going for more of a health-food than pure protein, CFM is probably the way to go.

[ajnast4r]

you should be avoiding inio exchange whey...

its the "dirtiest" method of isolation, and destroys alot of the beneficial protein fractions

Yeah, I'm aware of the loss of many of the more beneficial subfractions with ion-exchange processing. I don't really view powders as anything more than pure protein supplementation. I agree that if you are going for more of a health-food than pure protein, CFM is probably the way to go.

why use it then?
microfiltration isolate is basically the same price, less denatured, and much healthier?

[Shepard]

I was going through an anal phase when I stocked up and looking for absolute max protein per scoop. And I bought like, 6 lbs. of it.

[zoolander]

Currently using AST VP2

but I am thinking of transferring over to

Jarrow Whey protein. I'm wondering whether this will help with gas

Jarrow Formulas 100% all natural Whey Protein is rich in glycomacropeptides, which are biologically active proteins that improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and growth of bifidobacteria.

Price is good and Jarrow is a top shelf product in my books

So for me it will either be Jarrow or

LEF, Enhanced Life Extension protein which contains Bioferrin/lactoferrin

[health_nutty]

When I was doing protein shakes I found taking it with a ginger pill eliminated the gas entirely.

Thanks for the tip.

Which ginger pill? (How much ginger? Form?(I assume dried powder))

I just used vitamin shoppe generic dried powder form.

[ajnast4r]

ive used the jarrow stuff for a long time. no complains other than bland taste.
if youre already using an isolate, chances are its not the lactose giving you digestive issues.

that vp2 has sucralose/aculf-k in it... which for me, ALWAYS gives me gas. sucralose in general gives me gas.
its also a hydrolosate which is usually extremely bitter and hard to make taste good.

if you can handle the blandness go with the jarrow
if you need a shake that tastes like candy, go with the nectar

[olderbutwiser]

I used LEF whey for a year or so. I have always had good experiences with LEF products and I've been a member for 15 years. LEF products are usually price competitive (with membership "discount") but seldom if ever the price leader

I currently use cold filtered whey from Beyond a Century (BAC). It is cheap and the best value for exactly the product I want - cold filtered whey with no additives.

  90 Percent Whey
PROTEIN, 90+% WHEY ISOLATE, easy-mixing, Using Wisconsin milk, the Iso-Chill™ ultra-low temperature filtration & drying process (not above 45 degrees). Natural light cream color and neutral taste. Treated with a tiny amount of lecithin to make it easily dispersible in liquids. No blending required. Protein: >89% as is, 93% dry basis. Less than 1% lactose or fat! Unflavored. Our favorite! 24 ounces, $13.75 Code 536.1    Price $13.75 

I curious about the complaints of gas from consuming whey. I've never experienced this and have tried many brands of whey products. Is it from lactose intolerance or something different ? I have no problems with any dairy products so maybe I'm just lucky in this regard.

OBW

[shadowrun]

Great recommendations -

I always used Optimum Whey - The flavor is great, good price, Good amount of protein per serving but I always hated the artificial sweeteners they added. I just couldn't find a reasonable alternative. Their "natural" brand is bleh

I think i'm gonna roll with the Jarrow product though - Great company - No sweeteners and I really had no idea about the different ways Whey is processed - The companies would have you think Ionized whey is the best
I always throw in a scoop of 100% cocoa powder (which I think is a great idea for anyone) into my shake so the blandness shouldn't be an issue for me


Thanks for the info -

I also used the evil GNC brand a few times (good flavor - price - amount of protein)

[the big b]

I use gold standard 100% whey.  Taste amazing! and I dont get gas...

I agree, I've been drinking 4 glasses a day for the last 2 years, Chocolate flavor, which is nice because being Lactose Intolerant gets old real quick.

[tintinet]

Currently using AST VP2

but I am thinking of transferring over to

Jarrow Whey protein. I'm wondering whether this will help with gas



Price is good and Jarrow is a top shelf product in my books

So for me it will either be Jarrow or

LEF, Enhanced Life Extension protein which contains Bioferrin/lactoferrin

I wouldn't expect either to be very prone to produce gas, at least not according to their claims. Only way to tell is empirical, I suppose.

[ora101]

I unscientifically bought the Gold Standard brand whey protein because it was BN's number one selling product. How does this compare to say, Jarrow's (more expensive) whey product?

[basho]

LEF, Enhanced Life Extension protein which contains Bioferrin/lactoferrin

What's the benefit of Bioferrin/lactoferrin?

I tried this LEF Creatine Whey Glutamine Powder and I suddenly started putting on muscle!!

[ajnast4r]

I unscientifically bought the Gold Standard brand whey protein because it was BN's number one selling product.  How does this compare to say, Jarrow's (more expensive) whey product?

ON's is a cheaper rennet made concentrate.
jarrow's uses a more expensive filtration method.

Jarrow keeps the health promoting fractions in check, is VERY high in glutamylcysteine, and is devoid of artificial sweetners/flavor.


for bodybuilding purposes, the ON is fine especially when being consumed in huge amounts like most BB'ers do... the jarrow is a superior product imo, by far...
you know us imminters, we like our liquor top shelf... [thumb]

and now that i look at it, there is no real significant price difference

5lbs of ON natural is 29$
4lbs of Jarrow is 26$

[DukeNukem]

Jay Robb's is easily the best. Organic, no chemicals, and stevia used as a sweetener (I don't like the taste of stevia, yet this protein powder tastes great). I use both the whey powder and the egg white powder -- in fact, I've come to prefer the egg white powder for general use, and only use the whey post-workouts because it digests more quickly (which is a BAD thing any other time, as it can elevate insulin too much).

www.jayrobb.com

Only downside: It's the most expensive protein powder I've seen. But, price is typically a function of quality, so there ya go.

[Pablo M]

Every time I take whey protein for more than a few days, I break out in acne. I'm just not convinced that ingesting baby cow food with baby cow growth factors is beneficial for our health, longevity-wise. In my case, there definitely were some issues related to increasing insulin/IGF, which are a good thing for strength and short-term benefits, like getting the girl at the gym, but maybe bad for longterm health. But what do I know anyway. I'm just a scrawny CR rat and probably bitter at you muscular He-men.