Whey isolate is a protein powder that is derived from milk. Whey isolate is preferable to whey concentrate for gaining muscle and losing weight, as it contains at least 90 percent protein by volume, with very little fat, carbohydrates and lactose. Whey isolate can be beneficial for supporting your athletic endeavors, but you should consult a doctor prior to consuming whey isolate, or any sports nutrition supplements.
Calorie Content
Whey protein isolate contains 111 calories per 30 g scoop, an amount that comprises 5.5 percent of the daily suggested intake of 2,000 calories. Whey protein isolate is lower in calories than other protein supplements such as whey protein concentrate, which contains 120 calories per 30 g scoop. The lower calorie content of whey protein isolate may make it the better choice for dieting, as you won't have to burn as many calories through exercise with whey isolate.
Fat Content
Whey isolate is low in fat, with just .3 g of fat per 30 g scoop. This is significantly less than whey protein concentrate, which contains 2.5 g of fat per 30 g scoop. Nutrition researcher Dr. John Berardi explains that consuming as little fat as possible is important during your post-workout meals, as fat slows down your body's absorption of other nutrients. Maintaining a quick rate of absorption is important following workouts, as these nutrients -- such as protein -- are used to halt muscle breakdown and promote muscle recovery and growth.
Carbohydrate Content
Whey isolate is low in carbohydrates, as each 30 g serving contains just .2 g of carbohydrates. Limited carbohydrate content can make whey isolate more appropriate than other protein sources if you are dieting. Research from the July 2008 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine" indicates that a low-carbohydrate diet can be preferable to a low-fat diet, although your results may vary. The low carbohydrate content of whey isolate can be a drawback in certain situations, as Dr. John Berardi notes that carbohydrates play an important role in post-exercise muscle recovery.
Protein Content
Whey isolate is rich in protein, with nearly 27 g in each 30 g serving. This amount is 4 g more than one 30 g serving of whey concentrate provides. Protein is beneficial for gaining muscle, as it provides the amino acids your body needs to build muscle and other tissues. Research from the October 2009 edition of the journal "Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases" found that increased protein intake when dieting increased weight and fat loss in study participants.
References
- Whey Protein Institute: Whey Protein FAQ
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Impact Whey Isolate - Wpi
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate: Calories in Whey Protein Concentrate (True Protein)
- JohnBerardi.com; The Importance of Post Workout Nutrition; Dr. John M. Berardi, P.h.D; April 2002
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Weight Loss With a Low-Carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or Low-Fat Diet; I. Shai et al.; July 2008
- "Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases"; High Protein Diets Decrease Total and Abdominal Fat and Improve CVD Risk Profile in Overweight and Obese Men and Women with Elevated Triacylglycerol; P.M. Clifton, K. Bastiaans, J.B. Keogh; October 2009
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