whey protein
whey protein

WHEY PROTEIN INFORMATION, research, protein production and news.


This great site comes courtesy of Reflex Nutrition, the IS09001 registered experts in protein technology, and manufacturers of sports nutrition supplements.

© Copyright 2011.

 

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A note from the founder of Reflex Nutrition

"We've been in the business of making protein supplements for over 15 years. I'm proud to say that I firmly believe that Reflex Nutrition are truly the pioneers sports nutrition.

Reflex Nutrition have introduced many innovations to the market place, probably more than any other supplement company in the World today. During these years I've also seen some very misleading information passed to customers by supplement companies and so called industry experts, unfortunately this erroneous information has only served to confuse and not properly educate.

Our aim is different but very straight forward. We want to give you easy to understand information, research and facts. The ultimate goal is to ensure you are better equipped to make the right choice when you buy your supplements, whether they are Reflex Nutrition supplements or not.

Please take your time to thoroughly explore this site and I'm sure you'll gain a valuable insight to the real facts about whey protein."


James Phillips.

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Whey Protein Articles

Reflex Nutrition now uses two different types of whey protein for the manufacture of arguably the finest protein products available today.

  1. Native Whey Protein, the latest innovation in protein technology and factually the most biologically active and potent form of whey protein currently available.

  2. CFM/Ultra Filtered Whey Protein, the previous gold standard. E.g Cross Flow Micro Filtered Whey Protein Isolate derived from sweet dairy whey – a byproduct of cheese production

Native Whey Protein

Native Whey protein is obtained through a very specific process that differs from standard whey protein: the proteins are extracted directly from skimmed milk using membrane technologies at low temperature (microfiltration and ultrafiltration). The state of the art low temperature process removes casein, fat and lactose to leave only the purest, most biologically active whey protein.

This process offers the following advantageous characteristics compared to standard whey protein derived from cheese:

  1. Native Whey Protein is only pasteurised once avoiding unnecessary secondary heat treatments that can denature valuable cystine rich peptides irreversibly
  2. Native Whey Protein is not a byproduct of cheese therefore is not denatured via the introduction of acids and additional processes during the production of cheese
  3. Native Whey Protein is made in one continuous process. A significant proportion Standard Whey Protein made today is made from sweet dairy whey that is bought in by whey processors, circumstances that dictate they must pasteurise and denature valuable components of whey via secondary pasteurising. Native Whey Protein avoids this completely.
  4. Critically Native Whey Protein is up to 240% higher in cystine which is a very fragile peptide and easily damaged by heat (it’s comprised of two cysteine molecules joined by a disulphide bridge). Cystine plays an essential in production of the body’s master antioxidant glutathione, vital for optimal immune function
  5. Native Whey Protein is higher in the branched chain amino acid L-Leucine, scientifically proven to have the most positive effect with regard to stimulating protein synthesis and repair
  6. Native Whey Protein has a cleaner taste, because it’s not derived from cheese production it does not carry any of the associated flavour taints sometimes carried by standard whey protein


Three ways that whey protein can improve your health
Whey protein is a supplement that can make a dramatic difference to your health

Originally favoured by athletes and body builders for its ability to help maintain muscle mass, whey protein is fast becoming popular with non-sports people, too. Protein has a number of different roles in the body including the following:

  • Provides a source of energy
  • Controls many of the important processes in the body related to metabolism
  • Repairs body cells
  • Builds and repairs muscles and bones

Whey protein is the king of all proteins because it is very easy to digest and it is a naturally complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet.



Weight loss

Whey protein is a key ingredient in many weight loss and meal replacement products and whey protein isolate (with no fat or carbohydrates) is often the type that dieters choose. Whey protein promotes weight loss by stimulating the release of two hormones that act as natural appetite suppressants in the body. Studies have found that if you combine diets with leucine-rich protein foods, like whey protein, and exercise you have more lean muscle tissue and you lose more body fat. As you lose fat, your metabolic rate increases and you naturally burn more calories each day.



Immune system

Whey protein protects against free radical damage and strengthens the immune system by increasing levels of glutathione, the body's most abundant antioxidant. Preliminary research indicates that whey protein inhibits the growth of many types of cancerous tumours, and may also help lower blood pressure in individuals diagnosed with borderline hypertension.



Promotes healing of skin and muscle tissue

Just as athletes use whey protein to help them heal any tissue or muscle damage as a result of training, people who have suffered a physical injury or illness can find whey protein very beneficial. This is down to the essential amino acids in whey protein. An adequate supply of amino acids is vital for the growth and maintenance of all bodily tissues, including bone, muscle, skin, and nails. Because whey protein is easily digestible and it is a complete protein, it can help promote healing very quickly.

If you're seeking to lose weight, have a compromised immune system, or have suffered an illness, then a whey protein supplement is definitely worth a try.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Do I need whey protein in my diet?
How much protein we need in our diet, partly depends on who we are and how active we are

Getting a balanced diet is very important, especially in the fast moving world we live in now. What we eat affects not just the way we look, but the way we feel, too, and it can have profound implications on the quality and length of our life. Protein plays a big part in a balanced diet, along with carbohydrate, fibre and fat.

You can get protein from meat, fish, pulses, eggs and dairy products, but whey protein contains the most and the highest quality protein of them all. Derived from cow's milk, whey is a naturally complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. For the body to function properly, it needs both essential and non-essential amino acids. These fuel the body and maintain muscle mass. The body is able to make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in the body. However, it is not able to make essential amino acids and the only way to get them is by eating high quality protein foods.

Protein is needed to:

  • Provide a source of energy
  • Repair body cells
  • Control many of the important processes in the body related to metabolism
  • Build and repair muscles and bones

Even if you think you are eating a balanced diet containing lots of protein, you've got to make sure that you are eating high quality, low fat sources of protein, like whey protein. Compared to other proteins, whey protein isolate delivers more essential amino acids to the body, but without the fat or cholesterol. Nutrition experts therefore recommend a diet with a variety of protein foods, but for optimal results you should make sure that one of them is whey protein.

Whey protein is particularly beneficial to a number of different groups of people:

Athletes – People who do regular physical activity and weight training need more amino acids than the average person to increase strength, build muscle tissue, and enhance their athletic performance.

Elderly – Research has shown that whey protein can slow down muscle loss in elderly people, particularly in those who have a decreased appetite and who’ll be eating less protein as a result.

People recovering from illness or injury – Whey is a complete protein and is easy to digest. It is, therefore, quick working and can help to rebuild tissue and bones.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Finding whey protein foods
Finding whey protein products is one thing, but making sure that they are high quality is another

Whey protein is derived from cow's milk. It is sold in tablet, capsule and powder form, and is a key ingredient in protein drinks. Since it's easy to digest and it provides the body with a high quality protein, taking whey protein supplements is becoming increasingly popular, not just for athletes but the average person on the street, too.

Before you buy any whey protein foods you should think about what you want to achieve by taking it. Is it to help you in your exercising or strength training? Is it to combat the effects of aging? Or is it to boost your immune system? The type you take and how often will depend on the reason for taking it, so it's essential to get this straight.

There are 3 types of whey protein:

  • Whey protein concentrate
  • Whey protein isolate
  • Hydrolysed whey protein

Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, containing 90% or more protein and very little (if any) fat and lactose. Whey protein concentrate has anywhere between 29% and 89% protein depending upon the product. As the protein level in whey protein concentrate decreases, the amounts of fat and/or lactose usually increase. Hydrolysed or pre-digested proteins have been treated with enzymes to break the proteins down into smaller peptides and amino acids. If a whey protein supplement does contain hydrolysed protein it should state both the degree of hydrolysis and a table listing the molecular weight of the peptides present.

High street health food shops should sell whey protein supplements along with the usual vitamins and minerals. You'll also be able to find them in some pharmacists. It's online, however, that you should be able to find some of the best deals. Just make sure that wherever you buy your whey protein products from, it is a reputable company which can guarantee the quality. You'll also find whey protein foods in supermarkets, because it is incorporated into ice cream, bread, canned soup, infant formulas, and other food products.

It's useful to compare the percentage of different components of the whey protein supplements between brands, so that you can see that you are buying a good quality supplement.

The typical specifications for a protein isolate are:

Protein 90%
Fat 0.5%
Lactose 0.5%

The typical specifications for a high quality protein concentrate are:

Protein 80-85%
Fat 5-8%
Lactose 4-10%

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Healthy whey protein consumption
Whey protein can play an important part in a healthy diet, but you should be careful not to over use it

Many people take whey protein supplements to enhance their diet. It can be bought widely from online distributors and high street health food shops. It comes in the form of tablets, capsules and powder and is a key ingredient in replacement meal drinks. It's an easy and convenient way to ensure a healthy, high protein diet, but like all supplements it should be used sensibly and should not replace a balanced diet.

Protein needs vary by person depending upon age, weight, sex, activity level and overall health. Athletes and individuals with special medical needs often need more protein than the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein, as it contains all the essential amino acids that the body can't make itself. Athletes make use of these amino acids as they are exercising, which is why they need to keep their protein levels topped up. But how much is enough?

Some experts recommend that if you're strength training on a regular basis, you'll need to consume roughly 0.8 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight (or 1.7 grams of protein for every kilogram). For people who want to build muscle as fast as possible, this figure should be nearer 2.5 grams per kilogram of bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 13 stone (182 pounds, or 83 kilograms), you'll need a maximum of 207 grams of protein daily, for maximum results.

People who are allergic to dairy products could react to whey protein and should, therefore, avoid it. As with protein in general, long-term, excessive intake may be associated with deteriorating kidney function and possibly osteoporosis.

The key to healthy whey protein consumption is to take it in moderation and not rely on it. As effective as it may be, it should never replace proper balanced meals on a regular basis. As well as protein, it's just as important to have the following in your diet:

Carbohydrate – includes bread, pasta, rice, potatoes. Carbohydrates are our main source of energy.

Fruits & Vegetables – contain fibre, which is essential to the health of the digestive system and vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help us fight illnesses.

Fat – one source of energy and important in relation to fat soluble vitamins. Saturated fats should be avoided. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can be beneficial in moderation.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

How whey protein can build strength and help recovery
If you're on the look out for a supplement that can help you in your strength training or to recover from an injury, then whey protein may be just the thing for you

Whey protein is set apart from all the other sources of protein because it is a naturally complete protein. This means that it contains all the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. The body needs both essential and non-essential amino acids for it to function properly. We can make non-essential amino acids from other amino acids in our body, but we can only get essential amino acids by eating high quality protein foods.

Protein is essential for a variety of roles in the body, including the control of many of the important processes in the body related to metabolism and the building and repairing of muscles and bones. It is also necessary for the repair of body cells. You can obviously get protein from sources such as fish, eggs and meat, but since whey protein is such an excellent source of amino acids and it is easily digestible, it is widely used by athletes and body builders. The body requires higher amounts of amino acids during and following exercise, as they are taken up directly by the skeletal muscles. Many athletes also find it beneficial to have a whey protein drink immediately after exercise to help repair and rebuild lean muscle tissue.

Whey protein alone will not build strength and help recovery, however. You should also try to get lots of rest. Sleep and rest are even more necessary than usual when you are putting your body under a lot of strain or your body needs to recover from an injury. The body needs time to rest and repair itself by drawing on the nutrients that you feed it. Most cell and tissue regrowth happens during the night when you are asleep.

It may be that you are not getting enough protein in your daily diet, especially if you consume a lot of processed meals. Processed meals contain fewer vitamins and minerals than freshly prepared, home-made food. Vegetarians should particularly make sure that they are getting the right amount of protein, by eating a range of foods such as eggs, cheese, tofu, soya and pulses. By taking a whey protein supplement at times when you need it most, you can ensure that you get a healthy, high protein diet.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Make whey protein part of your training programme
If you're embarking on a vigorous training programme, it's important to pay attention to your diet, too

Whether you are a professional athlete, or someone who is taking their first steps towards getting fit, what you eat is just as important as how much and how hard you train. The two have to work in tandem, because it is no good eating badly if you are doing lots of exercise; you won't be able to perform to your optimum level if your body is not being fuelled by the right things. To give yourself the best chance of success you should also take the following factors into account:

Rest
Sleep and rest are fundamental to the proper functioning of your mind and body. When you are on a training programme, they are even more so. Government health experts recommend that you do half an hour a day of light exercise to raise the heart beat. When it comes to strenuous training, however, it’s advisable to limit yourself to every second day, as you need to give your body a break and time to recover.

Diet
When you're training for a marathon, for example, you need to make sure you are getting a balanced diet, with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Your carbohydrate intake might conceivably go up just before the big day, but in general you should be eating equal portions of all the main food groups. You won’t be able to train properly if your body does not get the right nutrients in the right quantities.

Fluids
You lose large amounts of fluids and salts through sweat when you're exercising, so it is essential to keep yourself hydrated with lots of water. Some athletes also drink isotonic and hypertonic drinks. They are specifically designed to quickly replace the fluids which are lost by sweating. They also provide a boost of carbohydrates and contain a small amount of sodium. When sodium is absorbed into the blood from the small intestine it takes water with it. This helps replace the sodium lost through sweating and also reduces the amount of water excreted from the body. ]

Whey protein supplements
Whey protein has long been considered the gold standard of protein for serious athletes who work hard to develop and sustain a lean, strong and well-defined physique. Whey protein contains all the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. These amino acids help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance and since it's easy to digest, it's quick to provide nourishment to muscles.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Whey protein facts and figures
It is with good reason that whey protein is considered the "gold standard" of protein for athletes, but it is not just for athletes

Whey protein may sound like a "super protein" and it's not far off. More typically taken as a supplement by athletes and bodybuilders, it is also a useful addition in the diet of many other people.

  • Whey protein is a very high quality protein derived from milk. It is made using ultra filtration of sweet dairy whey, a product from cheese manufacturing. The whey is passed through a complicated series of ceramic filters and the fat and lactose are removed to leave a concentrated whey protein in liquid suspension.
  • Whey protein has been used in connection with a variety of conditions including cancer, stress and HIV infection.
  • Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, which is why it is absorbed so quickly and efficiently into the body and favoured by dieters everywhere.
  • Whey protein is a soluble, easy to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body. It is often referred to as a "fast" protein for its ability to quickly provide nourishment to muscles. For this reason it is beneficial to anyone recovering from a debilitating illness.
  • Whey protein is an excellent source of the essential amino acid, leucine. Leucine is important for athletes, as it plays a key role in promoting muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth. Research has shown that individuals who exercise benefit from diets high in leucine and have more lean muscle tissue and less body fat compared to individuals whose diet contains lower levels of leucine. For people trying to lose weight, whey protein is an excellent supplement to take combined with some exercise.
  • Whey is a naturally complete protein, meaning that it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition.
  • Whey protein helps people maintain a healthy immune system by increasing the levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione is an antioxidant required for a healthy immune system.
  • Whey protein is a rich source of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. BCAAs are important for people wishing to build up muscle, since unlike the other essential amino acids, they are metabolized directly into muscle tissue and are the first ones used during periods of exercise and resistance training. Whey protein provides the body with BCAAs to replenish depleted levels and start repairing and rebuilding lean muscle tissue.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Whey protein for health and wellbeing
Protein is just one of the food groups which is essential for a healthy mind and body

Today's western diet is composed largely of processed foods, and often sadly lacking in quality protein. Protein can be got from food stuffs such as meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, pulses and dairy products. However, modern food production methods and the fact that we rely much more on ready meals means that we don't always get the amount of quality protein that our bodies need.

Protein foods are not equal and can vary in a number of ways:

  • Taste
  • Purity
  • Fat content
  • Digestion and absorption rates
  • Number and quantity of essential amino acids

Whey protein is a very high quality complete protein with rich amounts of all the essential amino acids. Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, which is why it is absorbed so quickly and efficiently into the body. Protein plays an essential role in building and repairing your body, but whether it helps a fingernail to grow or heals a sore muscle, for example, depends on the make-up of the protein. That is why it is so important to eat a wide range of different proteins to ensure that your body can function efficiently.

You might already think that you consume enough protein in the form of fish, eggs and meat etc, but healthy diets should regularly include high quality, low fat sources of protein, like whey protein. Whey protein isolate, which is the purest form of whey protein, contains very little (if any) fat or lactose. Compared to other proteins, gram for gram, whey protein isolate delivers more essential amino acids to the body, but without the fat or cholesterol. That is why nutritionists recommend a diet made up of a variety of protein foods, including whey protein as part of it.

As well as increasing strength, maintaining muscle mass, growing healthy hair and nails and repairing tissue, whey protein can also strengthen your immune system. It protects against free radical damage by increasing levels of glutathione, the body's most abundant antioxidant. Preliminary research indicates that whey protein inhibits the growth of many types of cancerous tumours, and may also help lower blood pressure in individuals diagnosed with borderline hypertension.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Whey protein for weight management
Do you struggle to keep the pounds off? Whey protein could help

You might have imagined that whey protein piled on the pounds rather than took them off. It is used by bodybuilders to build muscle, but it doesn't increase weight in the form of fat. In fact, it does quite the opposite. Whey protein can help promote weight loss and then maintain it at an optimal level.

Protein in dieting and weight control has taken centre stage in recent years. It is difficult to avoid all the many so-called "protein diets" which are promoted by experts and doctors in diet books and health plans. It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that whey protein is being touted as the next big weapon in the weight management battle.

How is whey protein different from other proteins? Protein foods are not equal and can vary in the following ways:

  • Number and quantity of essential amino acids - Whey protein is a very high quality complete protein with rich amounts of all the essential amino acids
  • Digestion and absorption rates – Whey protein is absorbed quickly and efficiently into the body
  • Fat content - Whey protein isolate takes longer to produce than whey protein concentrate because it requires more time and extra filtration. During the process, nearly all fat and lactose are removed. Typically, whey protein isolate contains just 0.5% fat
  • Taste – Some whey protein has a very strong taste unless other flavours are added to it
  • Purity - Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein

How whey protein can help you to lose weight
Whey protein is a key ingredient in many weight loss and meal replacement products and whey protein isolate (with no fat or carbohydrates) is often the preferred choice. Studies have found that if you combine diets with leucine-rich protein foods, like whey protein, and exercise you have more lean muscle tissue and you lose more body fat. As you lose fat, your metabolic rate increases and you naturally burn more calories each day. Another way that whey protein can help you manage your weight is by promoting satiety, or a feeling of fullness.

Since whey protein is a soluble protein, it is very easy to digest. This makes it the protein of choice for people who are trying to lose weight. Other forms of protein, such as meat and eggs, are generally harder to digest and they also contain higher amounts of fat.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.

Why choose whey protein products?
Why protein has a number of health benefits, so it's worth looking at the wide variety of products available

Over the last ten years, whey protein has become increasingly popular with athletes and body builders for its ability to increase strength and build muscle tissue. However, it is not just used as a sports nutrition supplement anymore. It is now widely regarded as being beneficial to a variety of different people and for that reason it can be found in pharmacies and health food shops.

Protein is important for repairing cells and building and repairing muscles and bones. It also provides us with a source of energy and controls many of the vital processes related to metabolism. Without it, all cellular development, respiration, and renewal would cease. It is essential, therefore, that we get enough protein in our diet. Whey protein provides an excellent source of the essential amino acids needed to fuel the body and maintain muscle mass.

There are three types of weigh protein:

  • Concentrate
  • Isolate
  • Hydrolysed

Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein, although all three types provide significant health benefits to people of all ages due to their high amino acid content. Why protein is very easy to digest and so taking whey protein supplements is an easy and convenient way to guarantee a healthy, high-protein diet.

Whey protein products are particularly beneficial to active individuals, individuals who exercise and professional athletes because it is the richest source of the essential amino acid, leucine. The body requires higher amounts of this amino acid during and following exercise. Research has shown that individuals who exercise benefit from diets high in leucine and have more lean muscle tissue and less body fat compared to individuals whose diet contains lower levels of leucine.

Whey protein supplements are now sold widely in health food shops, some chemists and online. It comes in powder, capsule, and tablet forms, and is a key ingredient in protein shakes. Whether you are a serious athlete, have a weak immune system, or are seeking to lose weight, whey protein supplements are definitely worth a try. They are even worth considering if you are worried about the natural aging process.

As with many sports and nutrition supplements there are a number of companies who sell products of a low or questionable quality, so you should do some thorough research before you make any purchase. Here, at Reflex Nutrition we are the only company in the world to offer whey protein products that are categorically guaranteed and manufactured in accordance with IS09001 procedures.

Reflex Nutrition Limited is a first class manufacturer of sports nutrition supplements, weight loss supplements and supplements for healthier living. To find out more about whey protein, call us today on 0870 757 3353.



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