Protein Powders for Weight Loss
Protein Powders Explained
When it comes to weight loss programs, protein powders are a must. There's certainly no shortage of choice. While having choices is always a good thing, the sheer number of protein powders out there can be slightly intimidating. It is with this in mind that we have put together the following information ... look on it as your introduction guide to the different types of protein powders. First, it's important to realise that the major difference between most protein powders, and the factor that should most influence your choice, is the product on which the powder is based. Put simply, generally speaking the five main types of protein that are used in protein powders are soy, rice, egg, whey and pea protein. We'll discuss each one below and each protein has its pros and cons, as each will do something different for each person so it would be well worth your while to read through the descriptions below.
Soy Protein Soy protein is derived from soy powder. Of all the vegetable proteins, soy is the most complete source of protein. Soy protein comes in two forms: Soy protein concentrate, and soy protein isolate, which "isolate" being the more pure of the two and, obviously the more expensive. Soy protein is often the best choice for those who suffer from dairy allergies, and is obviously suitable for vegans. Another con of Soy Protein is that it is very quickly digested. Soy protein is not recommended for women suffering from menopause or thyroid imbalances.
Rice Protein Rice protein is obtained from a careful distillation of the protein from brown rice. Rice protein is a complete protein, which means that it includes both essential amino acids and non essential amino acids. Also, being hypoallergenic, it is suitable for anyone. Again, rice protein is a suitable option for vegans.
Egg Protein Egg protein enjoys a long history of usage amongst those looking to increase their protein intake; even before the popularity of protein powders. Egg protein powder itself is made from egg white, and is thus fat free and high in protein. In fact, egg in itself is considered to be one of the most perfect sources of protein available, as it is complete with essential amino acids, branch chain amino acids and glutamic acid. It is the protein powder highest in amino acids alanine, arginine, glycine and methane. Obviously (we really shouldn't have to tell you this) egg protein powder should not be taken by anyone with an egg allergy.
Whey Protein Whey protein is derived from milk, and is possibly the most widely-used of all protein powders. Containing both essential and non essential amino acids, and also branch chain amino acids, it is a complete source of protein. Amino Acids are important to your workout, as they are the very building blocks of protein it is important to remember that the body does not make essential amino acids (although it can synthesize non essential amino acids), and they must therefore be obtained from diet. Whey protein is an easily digestible source of protein. As with soy protein, it comes in two forms: Whey Protein Concentrate, and Whey Protein Isolate. Again, Isolate is the more pure form, containing less fat and lactose. Obviously, Whey Protein is not suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
Pea Protein We don't know about you, but when we think protein, we think about cuts of beef, chicken breasts on a grill or even dairy with its whey and casein. One thing we do not think of is peas. With 21 grams per cup, those green spheres are among the carbier of vegetables, and although we enjoy the way they add a little pop to dishes, we tend to avoid them. But science has shown us the error of our ways, and we have already introduced pea protein powder to the masses. The main benefit of pea protein is that it's loaded with arginine. In fact, per every 100 grams of pea protein, you get 9 g of arginine. An equivalent amount of whey contains less than 2 g. Now, science is proving the power of that arginine. A recent study, presented at the American Chemical Society's 2009 national meeting, found that rats fed pea protein experienced a 20% drop in blood pressure as compared to those fed a placebo. This was apparently an unexpected result, because scientists were positively stumped when it came time to explain it. They admitted that they didn't know why the pea protein worked to reduce blood pressure, and mused that perhaps a compound called cyclooxygenase-1 might be involved. We may spend more time in the gym than in the lab, but we can still explain what these scientists can't. Stop us if you've heard this before. In the body, arginine is converted into nitric oxide, a gas that relaxes blood vessels, thereby widening them. The wider the blood vessels, the easier it is for a greater volume of blood to pass through them and the lower the blood pressure. Ta-dah! Scientific conundrum solved. Because pea protein is so high in arginine (which also, of course increases the amount of protein and other nutrients getting tunneled to muscles), we recommend adding it to your supplement regimen. Try mixing a little into your prework-out whey protein shake.
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