In this short article, we will answer the question “What are protein pills?”, by making a deep analysis of the different types of protein pills. We will also discuss when the person should take them.
A darling of athletes and the fitness group, protein has become an indispensable item in the diet. However, this substance has not only been consumed in its natural form for a long time, through the ingestion of meat, milk, cheese and other foods of animal origin.
The increase in training has also required increased protein consumption, which is where supplements come in. Initially known by athletes, protein supplements, such as protein pills, soon invaded gyms and today they are a fever.
Following the pace of consumption, the variety also increased. But do you know the difference between them? New products are usually more expensive, and as a result, it is common for people to conclude that the quality or function is better. But is this logic right?
Before making any decisions, learn about the types of protein pills sold and how they work
What are protein pills?
They are nutritional supplements that come in the shape of pills or capsules and contain protein powder. There are several varieties of protein pills:
Casein
It is rich in amino acids including glutamine, which aids in muscle building, and arginine recognised as a precursor to the natural production of growth hormone (hGH) and accounts for around 80% of milk protein (the other 20% is whey).
It is the least quickly absorbed protein supplement because it turns into a sort of gel in the colon.
Casein takes between 5 and 7 hours to digest, which is advantageous since it keeps the muscles well-fed for a long time and prevents protein catabolism, a condition that leads to muscle loss.
Albumin
Dehydrated egg whites are used to make this dietary supplement. Given its abundance in BCAAs, which are necessary amino acids that boost energy and aid in muscle recovery, it is a cheap and high-quality source of protein.
Before whey protein became popular, albumin was the supplement that people who wanted to gain muscle mass consumed the most.
Because albumin is slowly absorbed, which lengthens the digestive process and, as a result, increases satiety, it aids in metabolism and aids in weight maintenance. Albumin is also rich in B-complex vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, and iron.
Absorption: Although it is absorbed more quickly than casein, whey protein is nevertheless absorbed significantly more slowly.
Soy
For individuals who want a vegetarian protein source, soy protein is an excellent choice.
It includes BCAA, arginine, which expands blood vessels and speeds up the delivery of nutrients to the muscles, and glutamine, which aids in post-workout recovery.
In addition, soy protein contains antioxidants that aid in muscle repair and isoflavone, which boosts thyroid hormone production and helps maintain good cholesterol, all of which contribute to a faster metabolism. There are three types of it:
- Concentrated: has 65% of the soy bean’s protein content.
- Isolated: It is manufactured from soybean seeds, which ensures that 90% of the product is protein and that there are no carbs.
Absorption: Although this protein’s absorption is slower than whey’s because of its higher fibre content, it is still much faster than that of albumin and casein.
Whey
It is the whey protein that is removed when milk is turned into cheese. Without adding cholesterol, it is the most concentrated supply of essential amino acids, with high concentrations of glutamine and BCAA.
The water content of this protein is extremely high because whey is used to extract it. New filtering is required to divide this protein into three additional types in order to reduce this amount and boost the rate of protein.
- Concentrated (WPC) is typically the least expensive option because it just undergoes a quick filtering procedure. As a result, the ratio is roughly 80% protein and 20% of carbohydrates and fats.
- About 95% of the protein after the bigger filtration step is isolated (WPI). For individuals looking to reduce weight, the fact that some products’ carbohydrate and fat content might reach nil makes it appealing.
- Hydrolyzed (WPH): The price is likewise among the highest, and the quality is greater. This protein is hydrolyzed, which means it goes through a process that breaks down the long chains of proteins into smaller fragments.
This process requires much less work than the digestive tract, making this type of protein supplement faster to absorb. The meticulous filtering process makes the protein concentration reach 92%.
Fast absorption due to the light molecular weight of this type of supplement makes it perfect for the first hour after exercise when the body requires protein requirements.
The supplement that has been hydrolyzed absorbs the fastest.
Meat
For those who have lactose intolerance, hydrolyzed meat protein is the best option because it provides all the health benefits of meat protein, including the nine necessary amino acids needed by the body, without the negative side effects of lipids.
The supplement contains a lot of creatine, an amino acid compound composed of the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine that helps grow muscle mass and provides energy for exercise. As quickly as hydrolyzed whey protein is its absorption.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we answered the question “What are protein pills?”, by making a deep analysis of the different types of protein pills. We have also discussed when the person should take them.