Whey Concentrate vs. Isolate

againstXmyself · 06-04-2005, 05:03 AM

Is whey concentrate as good as whey isolate? Is one synthesized by the body better/eaiser? It looks like isolate is better for people who have digestive problems like being lactose intolerant, but i have no problems. Basically i am planning on ordering some protein from ***********.com and i was wondering if the isolate is worth the extra $ or what mixture of whey would be best if i planned on using it for pre and post work out.

**NNTB** · 06-09-2005, 11:43 PM

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that isolate has a higher max bv than concentrate. I feel it's worth the extra money to splurge and get the isolate, i switched and couldnt be happier with the results, and as you mentioned, it is a lot easier on the stomach.

**EME** · 06-10-2005, 12:05 AM

The main advantage I have found to Isolate is simply with digestion.

A lot of people have trouble digesting Whey Concentrate or Whey Blends....

If you have trouble digesting, a Whey Isolate is probably your best bet.

If you don't have digestion problems, you can save a lot of money by going with a Whey blend from a quality company.

- EME

HAYWOOD JABLOME · 06-11-2005, 06:20 AM

whey isolate's bv is ~ 155
concentrate is ~ 105

Ghosting · 06-14-2005, 10:37 PM

I remember reading iso was at least 90% whey and concentrate was 80%. Dont quote me on the numbers. Iso is a bit more expensive and a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant. If you are not, I guess it comes down to money.

DarkFalcon · 06-14-2005, 11:24 PM

Soy, Whey, or Egg Protein "CONCENTRATE":
This usually refers to a protein supplement source which has been concentrated through high heat drying (dehydration), acid extraction or filtration to reduce the original source to a more concentrated protein commodity. This is the least expensive method of protein extraction but unfortunately other things like lactose, fat and some impurities are also concentrated with it. It is usually 60 - 70 percent protein by dry weight.

Soy or Whey Protein "ISOLATE":
Isolates are created through an alcohol wash or a water wash or some ionization concentration techniques. The objective is to separate the carbohydrates and fats from the protein. The water method is the least expensive and the ionization technique is the most expensive method. The concentrate or should I say isolate is them filtered to further purify the protein fraction. In the case of soy protein isolates, the alcohol version will be devoid of the now famous "isoflavones" which are the "phytochemicals" on soy responsible for many of the "good" things attributed to soy. Isolates are usually 90 - 95 percent protein and the best will be water extracted.

Microfiltration and Cross Microfiltration:
These are merely terms to describe the type of filter used to further remove some of the unwanted variables from the concentrated protein. No Magic here -- just a process similar to Reverse Osmosis in the water purification industry.

Ion Exchange:
All molecules possess negative or positive electrical charges. This method extracts or separates protein molecules from most other fractions in the source by taking advantage of these electrical charges. It is primarily used to create Whey Protein Isolates. Again, No Magic here.

Hydrolyzed Protein:
Hydrolyzed or hydrolyses is a method of adding water to protein molecules to help break (lyses) them into smaller parts called peptides. Peptides are collections of 2 to 5 amino acid (the building blocks of protein) chains which are theoretically absorbed faster. It is something like a form of pre-digestion. My sources indicate that this method is the most expensive approach to concentrating proteins and rarely appears as the first ingredient on a protein supplement label. Some companies will add enough to get it on the label in an attempt to make their product look better. A second issue is that unless you are very ill (hospitalized and on venous drip) or you have a very challenged digestive system, there will be little benefit to this more expensive version. Rapid absorption might be of value to rapid recovery during a long power lifting competition.

06-04-2005, 05:03 AM	#1
againstXmyself New Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Whey Concentrate vs. Isolate Is whey concentrate as good as whey isolate? Is one synthesized by the body better/eaiser? It looks like isolate is better for people who have digestive problems like being lactose intolerant, but i have no problems. Basically i am planning on ordering some protein from ***********.com and i was wondering if the isolate is worth the extra $ or what mixture of whey would be best if i planned on using it for pre and post work out. __________________ .x.Dak.x.

06-09-2005, 11:43 PM	#2
NNTB rEVOLutionary Join Date: May 2005 Location: FL Posts: 2,447 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 163	Yeah, I'm pretty sure that isolate has a higher max bv than concentrate. I feel it's worth the extra money to splurge and get the isolate, i switched and couldnt be happier with the results, and as you mentioned, it is a lot easier on the stomach. __________________ "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it." Abraham Lincoln

06-10-2005, 12:05 AM	#3
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	The main advantage I have found to Isolate is simply with digestion. A lot of people have trouble digesting Whey Concentrate or Whey Blends.... If you have trouble digesting, a Whey Isolate is probably your best bet. If you don't have digestion problems, you can save a lot of money by going with a Whey blend from a quality company. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

06-14-2005, 10:37 PM	#5
Ghosting IronMass Donator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,801 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 22	I remember reading iso was at least 90% whey and concentrate was 80%. Dont quote me on the numbers. Iso is a bit more expensive and a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant. If you are not, I guess it comes down to money. __________________ Robcardu is the Jesus of the 90s.

06-14-2005, 11:24 PM	#6
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 11,511 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 299	This should help... Soy, Whey, or Egg Protein "CONCENTRATE": This usually refers to a protein supplement source which has been concentrated through high heat drying (dehydration), acid extraction or filtration to reduce the original source to a more concentrated protein commodity. This is the least expensive method of protein extraction but unfortunately other things like lactose, fat and some impurities are also concentrated with it. It is usually 60 - 70 percent protein by dry weight. Soy or Whey Protein "ISOLATE": Isolates are created through an alcohol wash or a water wash or some ionization concentration techniques. The objective is to separate the carbohydrates and fats from the protein. The water method is the least expensive and the ionization technique is the most expensive method. The concentrate or should I say isolate is them filtered to further purify the protein fraction. In the case of soy protein isolates, the alcohol version will be devoid of the now famous "isoflavones" which are the "phytochemicals" on soy responsible for many of the "good" things attributed to soy. Isolates are usually 90 - 95 percent protein and the best will be water extracted. Microfiltration and Cross Microfiltration: These are merely terms to describe the type of filter used to further remove some of the unwanted variables from the concentrated protein. No Magic here -- just a process similar to Reverse Osmosis in the water purification industry. Ion Exchange: All molecules possess negative or positive electrical charges. This method extracts or separates protein molecules from most other fractions in the source by taking advantage of these electrical charges. It is primarily used to create Whey Protein Isolates. Again, No Magic here. Hydrolyzed Protein: Hydrolyzed or hydrolyses is a method of adding water to protein molecules to help break (lyses) them into smaller parts called peptides. Peptides are collections of 2 to 5 amino acid (the building blocks of protein) chains which are theoretically absorbed faster. It is something like a form of pre-digestion. My sources indicate that this method is the most expensive approach to concentrating proteins and rarely appears as the first ingredient on a protein supplement label. Some companies will add enough to get it on the label in an attempt to make their product look better. A second issue is that unless you are very ill (hospitalized and on venous drip) or you have a very challenged digestive system, there will be little benefit to this more expensive version. Rapid absorption might be of value to rapid recovery during a long power lifting competition.

06-11-2005, 06:20 AM	#4
HAYWOOD JABLOME Pro Stature Join Date: May 2005 Location: Calgary Posts: 343 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 93	whey isolate's bv is ~ 155 concentrate is ~ 105

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