Collection: PROTEINS

First things first: what is whey protein? Milk consists of two proteins, namely casein and whey. When milk is processed to make yoghurt or cheese, the remaining liquid is called whey. Therefore, if you ever see a watery liquid on top of yoghurt, do not throw it away, as it is a nutritious source of whey protein.

Contrary to what many people believe, whey protein isn’t just for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Many rely on whey protein to help meet their daily protein needs, lose or gain weight, or recover from an injury or surgery. You can therefore add whey protein to your diet, even if you do not exercise daily.

An increase in protein intake can positively affect weight loss, as it reduces your level of the hunger hormone known as ghrelin. Whey protein also helps you feel fuller for longer, reducing cravings and preventing you from snacking. Whey protein is very digestible and gets absorbed from your gut quicker than other protein sources.

Protein is the building block of muscles; eating adequate amounts of protein helps you maintain your muscle mass and promotes muscle growth during strength training. Whey protein is rich in the branch-chain amino acids known as leucine, the most growth-promoting (anabolic) of the amino acids. Leucine also helps to prevent muscle breakdown and encourages muscle recovery.

Since protein is one of the key building blocks of skin tissue and supplies the body with the essential amino acids required to make keratin, it is evident that it will help with healthy skin, nails and hair.

There are three types of whey protein, namely whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolysate. These types of whey protein have different protein, lactose and fat contents.

Whey protein isolate is further processed to remove most of the carbohydrates, lactose and fat, and usually contains at least 90 percent protein.

You can use BlueLab® 100% Whey Protein powder to help you build and recover muscle tissue and add L-Glutamine powder to your diet. Take L-Glutamine before training to prevent full muscle breakdown, caused by fatigue during training. Remember to follow a progressive overload weightlifting programme, eat a well-balanced diet, get enough sleep during your rest hours (7–9 hours of sleep) and train at a maximal level.