Quite simply, protein is the key building block of muscle, skin, hair, nails and collagen which forms ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
It also plays a role in the production of:
- Hormones
- Enzymes
- Antibodies
- Haemoglobin
Protein is a key ingredient in all our superfood protein blends. We either use whey or a vegan protein source depending on the blend. We've already looked at Pea Protein so now we turn our attention to Whey Protein.
Background
Proteins are made from a collection of up to 22 amino acids. There are 9 of these that cannot be made by the body. These are called essential amino acids (EAAs) and have to be taken in through our diets. Furthermore, 3 of these EAAs include the Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) called leucine, isoleucine and valine, which are the most important amino acids.
However, not all whey is created equal! Our whey protein is sourced from grass-fed cows and is a mixture of whey protein concentrate (high in vitamins and minerals) and whey protein isolate (low in lactose and fat).
It provides all the EAAs and BCAAs you need including, most importantly, leucine, which is the key amino acid recognised as being responsible for activating protein synthesis.
What is Whey Protein?
We take milk from our grass-fed cows, which is then rapidly heated and cooled. That's done to ensure it's free from bacteria. We then separate the whey from the casein, which are two of the key components within the milk. The whey part is taken and sent for further purification to remove lactose, fats, carbohydrates and water, which leaves us with the high-quality Whey Protein that we use in three of our four Blends.
The Health Benefits of Whey Protein
Muscle fibres are broken down and rebuilt as part of everyday activities. However, working out causes the rate of breakdown to increase exponentially (that's why you feel sore the next morning after a workout) and more protein is needed to repair and rebuild the damaged muscle fibres.
Whey protein is an incredibly convenient way to get that protein into your body to support the recovery process and help with your performance.
Studies have shown that whey protein can lead to greater gains in lean muscle and strength. It's also been shown to keep you feeling fuller for longer, so replacing your afternoon snack with a whey protein shake (or better still, a superfood whey protein shake in the case of Innermost) could help you lose weight.
A common misconception, especially amongst women, is the fear of growing huge muscles just by consuming protein. In reality what protein along with exercise will do is help increase lean muscle mass, which means your body will burn more fat while building lean muscle, helping you become more toned. We call that a win-win.
Summary
Whey protein is one of the ingredients in The Strong Protein, The Fit Protein, The Lean Protein. Recommended for those aiming to nourish their bodies from top to toe.
