It is surprising to see just how much whey protein is produced on an annual basis in the United States. More than one quarter of the world’s whey and lactose products, 1.1 million metric tons per year, is manufactured at some 200 whey plants throughout the country. That is quite an astounding amount! From this production there are several varieties and types available for purchase. Every company says that their product is either the best or it will increase your strength level to some amazing level. What really is the best whey protein? What should you look for when you are buying?
Undenatured vs. Denatured
What is undenatured whey protein? If you didn’t already know, whey is a by-product of cheese. During the initial stages of the cheese making process, milk becomes curdled. The curdled milk is then strained. So now there are two separate components, curds and whey. The lumpy material is the curd which is used to make cheese and the liquid left behind is whey. The proteins found in the whey, casein and whey proteins (Beta-lactoglobulin, Alpha-lactalbumin, Serum albumin, and Lactoferrin), are separated from it. The whey proteins can either be processed into whey powder, reduced-lactose whey, demineralized whey, and whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI).
Three of the four proteins found in whey, Alpha-lactalbumin, Serum albumin, and Lactoferrin, while in the liquid phase are very sensitive to heat. Since milk and milk products require pasteurization, most whey products are raised to a temperature level that destroys these proteins. When this happens the product is now denatured. On the other hand, if the proteins are kept intact the product is undenatured. Undenatured whey protein is very important in order to maintain good health. Remember this: Undenatured>denatured.
Bioactive Whey Protein
Alpha-lactalbumin, Serum albumin, and Lactoferrin are called bioactive proteins. They share many of the same immune promoting and enhancing properties that are present in breast milk. These proteins contain exceptional amounts of cysteine, the all-important molecular precursor of glutathione. Cysteine is an amino acid and when it is combined with glutamate and glycine (also amino acids), it forms glutathione.
Bioactive whey protein has been clinically proven to increase glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is a natural antioxidant, immune system enhancer, and detoxifier. Research studies have proved that it enhances both healthy and deficient immune systems, is safe for those with autoimmune diseases (antiphospholipid syndrome, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, Graves’ disease, lupus…etc.) and is validated as an effective nutritional and biological supplement by the medical community (FDA and Health Canada).
Biology 101
When two amino acids are joined together it is called a dipeptide. Cysteine + cysteine = cystine. In this case cystine would be the dipeptide. Cysteine actually occurs in two different dipeptide units, cystine (cys-cys) and glutamyl cysteine (glu-cys). Both units are held together by a disulfide bridge or two sulfur molecules connected together (S-S); this being a very strong bond between both dipeptide units. So now we have two different dipeptide units each joined by a disulfide. These units need to be able to resist the heat of pasteurization. Amazingly, this molecular structure (dipeptide + disulfide) allows these units to be kept undenatured under severe conditions (heat) or even remain intact as it passes through the stomach’s acid for absorption into the cells. So an undenatured bioactive whey protein maintains this molecular structure. It is very important and very much needed in order to maintain good nutritional and biological (physiological) health.
The Best Type to Buy
Whey protein comes in three forms – whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and whey hydrolysate (WPH). Which is the best? The major difference between WPI and WPC is that the WPI is more pure; it contains more protein with less fat and lactose per serving. Isolate contains 90-94% pure protein with less than 1% lactose, whereas, WPC has significantly less amounts of protein, 70-75%. WPH is processed even more than WPI, it is easily absorbable like WPI but is extremely expensive to purchase. For the money, WPI is the best type to purchase.
Defining Factors
So now you are ready to buy. So you go down to your favorite vitamin store looking to buy whey protein. Which one are you going to buy? Remember, we discussed that undenatured was greater than denatured. At these commercial establishments a large majority of the whey protein available is all denatured. Not to be misunderstood, denatured whey protein will provide nutritional value but not biological (physiological); so there is some benefit to it. These products will not increase glutathione levels. Additionally, there are several undenatured bioactive whey protein isolate products available for purchase on the internet, which makes the decision even harder.
Remember, there are over 200 factories that produce whey protein in the United States? Honestly, how do you know which is the best? What are the differences between these products? Is there a defining factor? Here are some questions that will help you narrow you decision down.
- Do they have a “method of use” patent or any patent whatsoever supporting their research?
- Are there clinical tests that support what the product can do nutritionally and biologically?
- Are they listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) or the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS)?
- Are they approved by the FDA or Health Canada?
If your answer is no to any one of these questions, then those products are not for you. Actually, there is only one product that can answer yes to all of these questions.
The Verdict
Immunocal by Immunotec Research, LTD is the only 100% undenatured bioactive whey protein isolate (no additives) available that can help us nutritionally and biologically. It maintains the molecular structure discussed in the Biology 101 section. It has a “method of use” patent which very difficult to obtain, it is very costly, and it is generally granted for new drugs, not a food like Immunocal. As a matter of fact, Immunocal has 77 international patents and it has been clinically researched to prove it can help with many illnesses and disorders by effectively raising glutathione in the body. The patents also ensure that there is no other product like it in the way it helps enhance your immune system. Otherwise, there would several companies producing Immunocal and that would be defeating the purpose. By the way, it is listed in both the PDR and CPS. Start today and make Immunocal a part of your daily diet. Remember, it is not a drug, it is a food. You don’t have to be an athlete to take it. It is safe and made for all age groups.
Hopefully you found this article very helpful in regards to narrowing down which whey protein is the best buy. Sometimes it just takes a little research to find the best.
Immunocal:
Price – $99.00
A 30 day supply in each box.
(Click on the picture of Immunocal in the
upper right hand corner to purchase.)
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
This article is very well researched and useful.
Hospital Data
Interesting information about the protein.
Thanks for the article. With so many different types of protein out there, it’s good to understand which is the best to look for.
This is brilliant site. I myself have been taking protein for years and did`nt know there was so much to it. I will have to a lot more research when purchasing my next one.
Hi Peter – Thanks for the comment! Just an FYI. Immunocal is available for purchase in the UK.
Immunocal seems a little bit to expensive for me I am trying Certified Organic Undenatured Bioactive Whey Protein from Swanson. I was able to buy 90 servings for $64.99 shipped Vs. $300.00 of Immunocal. From what I have read it’s the same thing. If you have evidence that it will not raise glutithione levels please send me an e-mail. Here is a good URL for it. http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWU723/ItemDetail?n=0
Hi Nicolas,
Thank you for your post! I will reply with some research very soon.
Immunocal is different in that it is an isolate but it’s formulation (disulfide-bonded cysteine molecule) allows it to be transported through the stomach’s acid without being destroyed. This formula makes it much different than any other whey protein; it’s scientifically proven. It is patent protected which means no other company can model it. That makes the difference immense. It is a biologically active food supplement, it enhances cellular glutathione to improve immune system response, it aids in treating HIV-seropositive individuals, and is very important in anti-cancer therapy. These patents have been issued in 77 different countries.
These “other” products you mentioned may have cysteine but they can’t use the formula (that resists the stomach’s acid) that Immunotec uses; it’s patent protected. Otherwise, Immunocal would be produced by other companies. That’s why I use Immunocal because it, quite frankly, is the best product out there. Science proves it…and so do the patents. Plus, there is a 30 day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
innumocal, how much is it compared to other companies
Very comparable but much better. On the G*C site, for example, one of the more popular whey proteins is $72.99 (17 servings per tub). Now if you were to follow their servings per day suggestion- “consume 3 scoops (79g) of xxxx in 12 oz. of cold water 30 minutes after your workout,” you would use this up in 17 days. If you were to follow the other part of their instructions – “for extreme results, take twice a day, pre- and post-workout” you would use it up in about 9 days.
Immunocal, on the other hand, has a 30 day supply in every box for $99.00; buy it every month you automatically get 20% off. Take it once in the morning, 30 minutes before eating breakfast. There is no other product better than Immunocal that effectively raises intracellular glutathione.
Patents are not everlasting, these patents have expired or are in the process of expiring. So this allows other companies to enter the market with the exact same process and compete driving the prices down. So while Immunocal may have been the inventors their time is up its now a free for all . The process is clearly defined in the patent docs available to the public, anyone with the right technical background and funding can produce an equivalent
True, but while the patent is still in tact it cannot be replicated.
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