Whey is a co-product of milk and cheese production. Generally, it is processed by drying or, to increase protein density, by removing lipid content. Whey contains little fat, cholesterol or lactose, making it an ideal protein source for people of all ages and health conditions. Whey protein powder is used to improve physical performance, manage weight and prevent health problems.
About Whey
There are two types of whey protein, concentrate and isolate. Concentrate is low in fat and is 75 percent pure protein by weight. Isolate is processed to remove all fat and lactose and is 90 percent pure protein by weight. No food contains whey protein naturally; however, protein powders, bars and drinks may be fortified with whey. According to Whey Muscle, whey protein is a good source of amino acids that stimulate muscle protein synthesis during exercise.
Biological Value
Biological value, or BV, is the measurement of dietary protein absorbed from food which is later used in your body. The higher the biological value, the more protein from the food source is actually used in your body. Whey's high biological value reflects how much protein you can attain from consuming whey protein products. Egg protein sets the standard with a BV of 100. Whey protein can be as high as 170, according to Muscle and Strength. Biological value is a common measurement used by bodybuilders to classify the quality of a protein source.
Effects of Whey
Whey protein promotes muscle growth, which is ideal for bodybuilders. If you are trying to lose weight, building muscle is also desirable, as the body requires more calories to build muscle than burn fat. Whey protein is also a good way to obtain your daily protein needs without consuming cancer-causing cholesterol or saturated fat that is present in many meats. If you are eating whey to lose weight, consume whey in lieu of non-plant protein sources, such as in the morning instead of eating bacon. If you are eating whey to build muscle, consume it in the morning and before and after exercise.
Considerations
There is no scientific evidence that whey protein causes kidney problems. Long term animal studies have not proven that lifelong whey consumption causes kidney damage, either. While consuming whey, make sure to drink plenty of water, as it takes large quantities of water to digest protein.
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