Read this again: there is no such thing as the best protein supplement.
Stay with me, the sooner you understand this the better off you’re gonna be.
One size fits all may be a catchpharase but as far as the best protein supplement goes, it just isn’t true.
I have written this article with one purpose in mind: to empower you with the knowledge you need to select the best protein supplement
Here are the topics this post will address:
The different benefits that a protein supplement offers i.e. why you SHOULD use a protein supplement
How to select a protein supplement — learn the qualities a good protein supplement should have
Important details you need to know to uncover the best protein supplement
Let’s get into the meat
A protein supplement is ussually used because:
- it helps increase muscle mass (so you can look so sexy with your shirt off)
- improving health (quality proteins positively impact the immune system and stimulate your resting metabolism)
- loss of fat (increasing metabolically active tissue mass increases your caloric needs and leads to fat loss)
- to lessen loss of lean tissue
- convenience (it is easier to go to the gym with with a protein shake than with a lunchbox)
- necessity (some times you need to eat and food (good food) isn’t available)
- digestive reasons (a protein supplement can be more easily digested)
- improve mood (well being is increased when protein requirements are adequate)
- speeds metabolism (a fast metabolism means you have more energy, heal faster and shed body fat easier);
- reasons having to do with cash (gram for gram comparison shows that a protein supplement is more convenient that food — this doesn’t mean it should be necessarily preffered)
- the blend of amino acids (amino acids have different functions so different people need different proportions based on their goals)
- quality protein (some protein sources, including whole foods, don’t offer that much in terms of quality muscle building amino acids)
For me, my name is Damian by the way, using a protein supplement follows the following reaosoning: I am a skinny guy who burns calories like crazy, I also have an inefficient digestive system which means that if I don’t pay carefull attention to my food I burn my muscle away because I am not getting enough calories.
So I use a protein supplement in order to increase my daily intake of amino acids, build a healthy physique, boost my immune system, increase my sense of well being, add strong well toned lean muscle mass and ease the strain on my digestive system which, like I said, isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
Ok, now that you know why people generally use a protein supplement, let us ask:
What to look for in a general protein supplement:
- maximum protein per scoop (80% or over should be protein)
- no artificial sweeteners (if you don’t know what it’s doing there, it’s not supposed to be there)
- if it has carbs, make sure it has fructose, not glucose;
- stevia is a non caloric, plant based sweetener with no side effects — trust a protein supplement that has it
- isn’t in the high end or low end of the price range
- has a balanced amino acid profile (another post)
- it is tolerable to you (you have to know your blood type if you want me to help you with this)
- the protein is properly processed (another post)
- tastes good
- mixes well
- it isn’t the newest thing on the market – hype = lies
This last one is the most important. If it’s the new, the improved, the never before seen massive gains, it will make you a massive freakozoid monster animal with jumbo pack biceps — in just three weeks, then you should refrain from buying it.
Also, if it is a highly ‘pushed’ product, skip it. The money you pay for it will be going to google, to internet marketeres and to other affiliates. And not to the great people who put that money into the high quality protein supplement that they sell TO YOU.
This is a pet peeve of mine, proven methods and great products, and people still go for the flashy illusions. People just want to be lied to I guess.
NEXT
What makes a protein supplement the best protein supplement?
The short answer is that the best protein supplement has most of these qualities:
- hydrolized or partially digested;
-additional enzymes — make sure they are active
- additional minerals and vitamins — especially potasium and calcium
- a reasonable price
- good to great mixability (no sense spending 20 minutes each day trying to mush annoying clumps with a spoon, and don’t tell me blenders work — they don’t)
- tolerable taste (i don’t give much importance to taste, but I don’t want to quench my puking reflex every time I take a drink)
- an 80% or over protein concentration
- doesn’t have glucose (this is true for most people, but blood type factors can affect this truth)
- a great amino acid profile
- derived form high quality proteins
- easily digestible (depends on protein source)
- very low levels of carbs and fat (1-3 grams of fat, 2-10 grams of carbohydrates)
Here’s a quick tip, NEVER mix your proteins with anything other than water, if it doesn’t work with water, it doesn’t qualify as the best protein supplement.
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