Hydrolyzed whey protein is a partially predigested form of whey. It is available as a powder that can be mixed with other foods. Whey protein is used by bodybuilders and other people who want to increase the amount of protein in their diet. Whey protein is a good source of amino acids, the building blocks of protein and muscle. Whey protein can be found as a concentrate, an isolate and as a hydrolysate.
Whey Protein
Cow's milk contains two major proteins, whey and casein. Casein makes up 80 percent of the protein, while whey protein accounts for the remaining 20 percent. Whey protein is a by-product of making cheese. The cheese solids, or curds, contain the protein casein. Both the curd and some of the milk fat goes into making the cheese. The remaining liquid portion, which is the whey, is drained off from the cheese and filtered to separate the whey protein from the milk sugar, or lactose. The whey is purified and sent to a drying tower to remove the rest of the water. The finished form is whey powder, which is used commercially to boost the protein content of a variety of foods, including meal replacement bars and infant formula.
Nutrition
Whey protein provides essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids that are necessary for your body to build muscle. Whey protein is actually a mixture of several protein components. About 50 to 60 percent of the whey protein consists of beta-lactoglobulin. Another 20 to 25 percent is alpha-lactalbumin, a protein that contains large amounts of the amino acid tryptophan. Other proteins include glycomacropeptides, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase and immunoglobulins that can improve the immune system's functions. Branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids in human nutrition.
Hydrolyzed Whey
Hydrolysis is a chemical procedure in which a protein molecule has water added to it, splitting the molecule into two smaller molecules that are called peptides. These peptides are already partially digested, so your body is able to absorb them more easily than either the concentrated or isolated forms of whey protein. Hydrolyzed whey is significantly higher in protein content than other forms of protein supplements, and so it generally is more expensive. However, hydrolyzed whey is low in fat, and its digestibility makes it economical because your body will be able to use more of its proteins.
Whey Protein and Allergies
Because whey protein is a milk product, people with lactose intolerance need to be careful about what types of whey they use. Whey isolates generally contain very small amounts of lactose, but whey proteins and the amount of lactose they contain can differ according to where the milk comes from, how it is produced and whether or not additional ingredients are added to the final whey product. Soy protein is sometimes blended with whey to make the product less expensive. If you have lactose intolerance, you should ask a doctor or nutritionist before supplementing your diet with whey products. Some people may exhibit allergic reactions to whey protein supplements, including rashes, chest pain and problems breathing.
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