What is the Difference Between Whey Protein Concentrate and Whey Protein Isolate?

First of all, Natural Whey Protein Powder is not a standardized commodity. There aren't any strict rules that apply to terminology. The protein composition of various products varies a great deal depending on how the product is processed and the type of whey from which it is derived.

Generally speaking though, total protein percentage by weight determines whether a powder is referred to as a concentrate or an isolate. Protein percentage of isolate is 90% or better. Concentrate is less than 90%.

Which one is better? It all depends on the reason why you are using whey. In this article, we concentrate on using whey protein rule1 for the purpose of glutathione supplementation. As was stated above, the protein composition varies greatly. Generally, speaking, though isolate tends to be depleted of higher molecular weight proteins such as immunoglobulins and bovine serum albumin. The protein should also be undenatured. That means, it is processed gently so as to preserve the structure of the protein. More specifically, it preserves the cystine content which appears to be an important contributing factor to the cysteine donor efficacy of a whey protein powder.

For example, here is a side by side comparison of a whey protein concentrate and isolate:

Ingredient................................ Isolate............Concentrate

Beta-lactoglobulin......................70-75%...........51%

Alpha-lactalbumin.......................6-11%.............20%

GMP (Glyco-Macro peptides).....12-17%..........n/a

Lactoferrin.................................0.6%.............. n/a

Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA).....1.3 1.8%......10%

immunoglobulin (IgG)...............1.5-2.5%..........10%

"minor fractions"......................n/a...................7%

The GMP component is characteristic of products derived form so-called sweet whey where the enzyme rennet is used to precipitate casein proteins from the raw milk leaving clear whey. The other process uses citric acid to precipitate casein proteins. This is called acid whey. Both are acceptable methods.

When using whey protein as a glutathione supplement, the dymatize whey protein isolate concentrate is preferable because of the higher levels of BSA and IgG. This determination is based on an analysis of data from an animal study found at http://www.rimkor7.com/lowcost.php. In this study, 16 products were evaluated. Of these products, almost all were either overpriced or lacking efficacy. The analysis enabled an estimate of the cost-effectiveness of glutathione supplement efficacy. The best whey powder was found to be 5 times more cost effective than the worst. Surprisingly, the least cost effective is the whey powder product best known and best validated for the purpose of supplementing glutathione.

How meaningful are these results since the analysis was based on a small scale study involving mice? Whey probably increases glutathione in humans for the same reasons that it does in mice. Casein protein is used as a control in these studies. Casein fails to increase glutathione in both humans and mice. So although the exact values may not be the same, the estimate is probably roughly equivalent.

If you are looking to build muscle, boost your performance, and make the most out of all your hard work, then protein powders are the best way to go. We have all brands of protein powders are available like whey protein, vegan protein, Rule One and more on Gains Health and Nutrition in Australia.

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