Protein supplements come in several different forms and it's worth knowing the differences. We've broken down the main types along with benefits and things to watch out for. We've also classified them into the good, the bad and the ugly.
The Good
Whey: Derived from milk, this type of protein has a complete amino acid profile, high levels of leucine (the most important amino acid that kickstarts the absorbtion process), is fast acting and easily absorbed. Whey protein also contains high levels of vitamins and minerals. Whey commonly comes in two forms - whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. This protein is found in The Strong Protein, The Fit Protein and The Lean Protein.
Casein: Made from the curds in milk, casein is a protein that takes longer to absorb. Combining casein with whey protein, as we do in The Strong Protein, ensures your muscles are continually fed over an extended period of time maximising the amount your muscles can absorb. Great if you're looking to build muscle.
Pea and Rice: Both are hypoallergenic, vegan, low fat, low calories and while individually they don't contain all the essential amino acids we need, when they are combined, as we do in The Health Protein, they work very well together and make the perfect vegan alternative to whey protein.
The Bad
Hemp: Not considered a complete protein due to low levels of lysine and also relatively low levels in leucine, which is the most important amino acid. Hemp protein is also known to contain very low amounts of essential vitamins and minerals. Instead, it contains high levels of fat and carbohydrates, which slows down the process of nutrient absorption.
The Ugly
Soy: There are concerns based on the fact that soy protein is a source of isoflavones, which are compounds known to have estrogen-like effects in the body. They are also implicated as the main culprits in soy protein's testosterone-lowering claims. This is the reason all Innermost superfood protein blends and nutritional boosters are soy-free. For all the men out there, it's worth considering a different source of protein.
