What is Whey Protein?

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Whey protein is a powder derived from cow’s milk and is a popular choice for athletes who want to easily replenish muscles after a workout.

by Dane Findley

Is Whey Protein Good for You?

There seem to be as many opinions about whey protein as there are brands of it on the shelves of vitamin superstores.

Some people believe that whey protein has healing properties, and can be used for reducing inflammation within the body and even for reducing risk of cancer cells.

Other people feel that whey protein is an overly processed food (whey protein is first a liquid, created as a result of cheese-making, then later turned into a powder) and that, because it’s made from dairy, some people have sensitivities or even allergic reactions to it.

Perhaps the best way to learn if whey protein is beneficial or harmful to you, is to listen closely to how your own body feels after you have some. For me personally, I’ve been having whey protein for decades, so I can share with you what I’ve learned over the years that is true for myself:

• ▸ in moderation, whey protein can be very helpful
• ▸ not all whey proteins are created equally

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“the best way to learn if whey protein is beneficial or harmful to you,
is to listen closely to how your own body feels after you have some”

Whey Protein Can Be Helpful in Moderation

In my case (which is a bit unusual, I admit) I eat approximately 70% of my average daily diet as raw, vegan food. However, because I have genetically low cholesterol and lower blood pressure, and because I exercise daily, I find that my health suffers if I go 100% vegan.

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For me, whey protein has been so beneficial, because it infuses my muscles with branch-chained amino acids when my muscles are at their neediest — like dry sponges after exercising, my muscles soak up the nutrients in whey protein almost instantly! So though I avoid all other dairy, and especially casein, I do believe that whey protein can be very helpful for some people. I’ve learned from experience, however, that there is definitely a difference between brands of whey protein powder!

Not All Whey Proteins Are Created Equally

Strangely, I’ve found that my body feels a difference between brands of whey protein powder. I don’t quite understand this, because I assume that, just like with vitamins, most of the nation’s supply of whey protein comes from a few big processing plants.

 
Perhaps the difference is in the other ingredients. For instance, my body doesn’t seem to like the sweetener aspartame, but it does fine with the sweetener stevia. Anyway, I go for the powders that have all-natural ingredients, and I’ve tried many, many different brands. Speaking personally, my body has the best results with Standard Process and Biotics (Also, I have friends who say they have good results with Dr. Mercola’s brand of whey protein powder).

Do you exercise daily and, if so, do you believe that impacts how much protein you need each day? Let me know about your own favorite protein sources in the comments section below!