How is protein powder made and what are the different types?
Protein powders can be derived from many different sources including rice, pea, soy, egg, dairy and more. Almost all of these are made from dairy because of their high bioavailability (BV) and cost effectiveness. Though some dairy protein powders will also be blended with egg and soy protein.
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Whey protein is a co-product of the process for making cheese. This by-product is then purified through ion exchange and then filtered using various methods. Depending on how it is filtered will depend on whether the resulting powder is Whey Protein Concentrate or Isolate. Whey protein isolate can then be more highly purified to produce Hydrolysed Protein Isolate.
Alternatively milk can be processed through ultra-filtration to derive Casein. These are the four types of proteins that are most commonly used in protein powder supplements. These four proteins have distinct differences, primarily relating to their speed of digestion.
Hydrolysed Whey Protein Isolate (BV 170) is the most expensive and fastest acting protein. It is usually mixed with digestive enzymes that can cause digestion to begin after just 10 mins. A typical serving will be about 40g but will only be useful to your body if it is consumed immediately prior or post intense exercise. If not taken before or after exercise much of it will be wasted in your system due to the extremely fast digestion speed.
Whey Protein Isolate (BV 150) is a highly purified product and comes in a close second in terms of BV. Because of having such a high BV and being so well filtered, it will typically digest in your system within 30 mins. A typical serving is 30g - 40g and again is going to be most useful prior or post workout.
Whey Protein Concentrate (BV 104) is a less filtered, more cost effective product. The result is a slower digesting protein. This type of protein will typically digest within 3-4 hours. Whey protein concentrated is regularly blended with whey protein isolate to provide a sustained release of protein into your system. These blends are the most popular kind of protein powder.
Casein (BV 94) is a very slow digesting protein. It can take up to 7 hours to release into your blood stream. This makes this protein a powerful anti-catabolic agent that will reduce muscle break down and aid muscle repair over an extended period of time, usually taken as a night-time growth and recovery protein.
The Different Types Of Protein Powder
Learn more about other supplements that will help you achieve your fitness goals.