Protein supplements can become a very confusing part of nutrition. Not only are there many different types of protein, there are also many different filtration processes, and mixtures. If there is one thing about protein supplements it’s that finding the right one is not really a cut-and-dry answer.
If you are wondering if a protein supplement is a necessary part of nutrition I would say yes it is. I say that for several reasons. One of the main reasons would be convenience. Most of us live busy life styles and it’s hard enough for us to get 5-7 meals in a day on top of everything else we have going on. Protein supplements are fast, easy, and don’t require refrigeration. Another reason I feel they are necessary is that if your using a high-quality protein supplement you will be able to cover your bases when it comes to essential and branch chain amino acids, and that can be difficult to do with whole foods alone. Last but not least, if a person is dieting and working hard to keep their calories below a certain point high-quality protein will be mostly pure protein with a low amount of carbohydrates and fat.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when choosing a protein supplement is that they find the cheapest brand they can find. If your working hard in the gym the last thing you want to do is find the cheapest protein on the shelf. As is the case with most things you get what you pay for. The biggest difference between cheap and expensive proteins are the filtration processes used in making them. Obviously the more state of the art filtration processes will cost more to manufacture, but the quality makes it worth a higher price tag.
I get a lot of complaints from people about cramps, abdominal pains, gas, and diarrhea from using protein supplements. Then when I ask them what kind of protein they are using it is usually the cheap protein they found at Wal-Mart, Costco, or some other discount retailer. When I am able to convince them to try a higher quality product these problems usually dissappear.
Another big difference in quality of filtration has to do with amino acid profiles of protein supplements. The better the filtration process that is used the higher the amount of branch chain amino acids and essential amino acids will be found in the product. It’s the quality of a protein sources amino acid profile that truly makes a difference as it relates to building/maintaining muscle.
My best advice would be to buy your protein from a company who knows the difference between all these factors and discuss with them what your best option would be. Stay away from discount stores who do not make their main business fitness and nutrition. Blue Springs Fitness carries the basics when it comes to supplements and we can help find what works best for you. If we don’t carry the product you need I will special order it for you.