Supplement Reviews  |  Fat Burners & Weight Loss  |  Bodybuilding Guides  |   Training & Workout  |  Health & Nutrition  |  Diet & Fitness Articles  |  User Reviews
   » Everything Creatine      » Protein & Whey Supplements      » Workout & Pre-Workout Supplements

Protein Supplements

100% Whey Protein Review
100% Egg Protein Review
Anator P70 Review
Cytosport Muscle Milk Review
Cytosport Muscle Milk Light Reviews
Cytosport Cytogainer Review
Cytosport Monster Mass
Designer Whey Protein Review
Designer Whey Premium Isolate
Designer Protein Review
Designer Whey Protein Blitz
Dymatize Elite Whey Protein
Dymatize Elite Mass Gainer
Dymatize Fusion 7
EAS Pro Science Finish
Egg Protein - Egg White Protein
Everlast HyperPlex Whey Protein
Gaspari Myofusion Protein
Heavy Weight Gainer 900
Methoxy Pro Supplement Review
MuscleTech Nitro Tech Review
Osmo Build Fast Protein Review
Whey Protein Compared - 1
Whey Protein Compared - 2
Protein Supplement Showdown - 1
Whey Concentrate Showdown - 2
Whey Isolate Showdown - 3
Protein Blends Showdown - 4
Other Proteins Showdown - 5
ON Platinum HydroWhey
Optimum Serious Mass Gainer
Pinnacle Juiced Protein Review
Pro Complex Protein Review
Prolab N-Large 2 Review
Protein Myth 1
Protein Myths 2
PVL Whey Gourmet Review
Sci Fit Econo Whey Protein
Soy Protein Supplements
Soy Protein Isolate Info
Soy Protein Benefits
Syntrax Nectar Protein Drink
Whey protein information
Whey isolate & concentrate
Whey protein side effects
Whey comparison guide
Whey Protein and Cancer Benefits
Whey Protein - More Info 1
Whey Protein - More Info 2
Whey Protein Process Method - 1
Whey Protein Process Method - 2

Protein Bar Reviews

Best Protein Bars Compared
Chef Jay's Tri-O-Plex Bar
Clif Energy Bar Review
Designer Whey U Turn Bar Review
Detour Bar Review
Everlast HyperPlex Protein Bar
ISS Oh Yeah! Protein Bars
Luna Bar Review
Power Bar Review
Power Bar Harvest Review
Power Bar Protein Plus Review
Power Bars Compared
Promax Energy Bar Review
Protein Bar & Nutrition Bars
Protein Bars Review Guide

Meal Replacements

Meal Replacements Compared 1
Meal Replacements Compared 2
Meal Replacements Compared 3
Meal Replacements Compared 4
Meal MRP Replacements Guide
EAS Myoplex MRP Review
IIsopure MRP Review
Lean Body MRP
Lean Mass Complex
Met Rx MRP Review
Met Rx Products
MuscleTech MesoTech

Whey Protein Processing Methods

Microfiltration vs. Ultrafiltration (part 2)

So in part 1, we looked at ion exchange processing of whey protein. The other type of processing method involves microfiltration and ultrafiltration. Micro and ultrafiltration are quite similar. The main difference between them is the average pore size of the membranes.

Microfiltration membranes are about one micrometer, which is very small. Ultrafiltration membrane is about 4 times smaller than microfiltration, at about 250 nanometers (or 0.25 micrometer)

Cross Flow Microfiltration Whey Protein

Cross Flow Microfiltration (CFM) is higher in quality compared to ion exchange. As mentioned in part 1, the chemicals used in ion exchange denatures some proteins and amino acids. However, CFM process yields slightly lower concentration of protein, where natural ceramic filters are used to separate whey protein from the protein solution. Undesirable components such as fat and lactose are filtered out. The particles are separated based on their molecular size and shape.

The key advantage of this processing method includes:

  • minimal denaturing of protein
  • preserved protein microfractions
  • better amino acid profile
  • separation of protein without the use of heat or chemicals
  • CFM whey protein contains more calcium and less sodium
  • does not damage the many immune boosting components (ie: alpha lactalbumin, immunoglobulins, and GMPs)
  • CFM whey has the highest level of undenatured protein available

One major disadvantage of CFM whey isolate is that it costs about twice as much as a whey concentrate! If you're rich, that's not a big deal, but for the rest of us folks, its a big deal!

Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

Hydrolyzed whey (or whey protein hydrolysate) is usually a whey protein isolate that have had some of its amino acid peptide bonds broken enzymatically into shorter chains of aminos. This leads to better absorption in the stomach. However, hydrolyzed whey isn't all the popular because of its horrible taste. The hydrolysis process makes the whey taste bitter. The level of hydrolysis determines the bitterness of the protein - more hydrolyzed whey will taste more bitter. Generally, hydrolyzed whey protein supplements will be no more than 20% hydrolyzed, as this costs the manufacturer extra money, and also makes the whey taste worse.

Unfortunately, you'll never know what percent the protein is hydrolyzed, as the makers will never put it on their label.

Advantages of Hydrolyzed Whey:

  • The most digestible whey protein for human consumption
  • Partially pre-digested for better absorption by humans
  • Protein molecules are split into smaller group called peptides

While hydrolyzed whey has many desirable qualities, you're unlikely to find any whey protein supplement that is mass marketed that contains a high percentage of hydrolyzed whey - only because marketing to the masses, the supplement companies worry more about taste than effectiveness. I'm sure we can say that for many end users as well. Some protein supplements like Optimum's 100% whey contains some hydrolyzed whey; however they don't tell you how much.

My Top Choices

So which whey protein supplements do I think are the best, and get the most bang for my buck? There are 3 choices:

  1. Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein
  2. EAS MyoPro Whey Protein
  3. AST VP2 Whey Isolate

Take a look at our extensive protein comparison guide, comparing 25 protein powders. You'll see why these are my top choices. However, I were asked to just pick one, I'd go with optimum's 100% whey. Its something I always get, and stick with. Its made up of ultrafilter whey, CFM whey, ion exchange whey, and also some hydrolyzed whey. For the taste and protein quality this product gives, you can make your money last alot longer.

As for VP2, is a little too rich for my blood. ;-) I would consider it one of the top whey protein isolate supplements out there, but it also costs quit a bit more. For roughly the same cost, you get 2lbs of VP2 compared to 5lbs of 100% whey. I guess it's that decision between price and quality. For me, the extra protein quality doesn't justify the dramatic increase in price. Don't get me wrong, I buy VP2 once awhile, just not all the time like I do with 100 whey. ;-)

>> Click here to Order Optimum 100 Whey

>> Click here for AST VP2 whey protein isolate

>> Click here for Whey Protein supplements