Not All Protein Supplements Are Created Equal

With the overwhelming amount of protein supplements in today's market, it is hard to tell which are the best and more importantly in todays economy which are worth a higher price.  We've all heard the slogan “you get what you pay for” and this is so true with protein powders; not all protein supplements are created
equal.  Protein in general supplies energy (4 calories per gm), and stimulates muscle growth and recovery - protein is needed by all individuals.

Here are a couple simple things to consider when choosing the protein supplement that is right for you!

• What are your health/fitness goals?  Did you know that the biggest difference in proteins isn't their taste, its the KIND of protein they are made up of...whey isolate, whey concentrate, casein, albumin, soy, hemp, goat (yep, I said goat)...and the list goes on!  Most popular are whey protein concentrates (WPC) and whey protein isolates (WPI).  Whey protein isolates absorb rapidly at around 30 minutes or less while whey protein concentrates absorb at around 60 minutes.  Both are considered “fast-acting” which makes them ideal for pre- and post-workout drinks.  Casein on the other hand absorbs much slower at about 4 hours making it a “slow-acting” protein and ideal for before bedtime or for long periods without eating.  Each helps the body with a very specific need - the best way to determine which one is right for you is to go into a store and ask the sales clerk.
• What is the quality of the protein?  And this is where PRICE differences come from.  Where is your protein sourced from?  The USA or another country?  Does the company you are buying from follow "Good Manufacturing Practices" (cGMP) and are they in compliance with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations?  Although no protein supplements are FDA approved they should follow the FDA ruling that established the minimum cGMPs necessary for activities related to manufacturing, packaging, labeling or holding operations to ensure the quality of dietary supplements.  These federal guidelines ensure that products have the identity, purity, strength, and composition specifications listed on the label.
• TASTE - lets face it, if the product doesn't taste good you won't be drinking it!  If possible, try before you buy!

At Max Muscle Sports Nutrition we live up to all these promises...we employ certified nutrition specialists to help you choose the right protein for your goals, follow the dietary guidelines (all our proteins come from the USA and we are cCMP compliant), and we let you try it before you buy it!  If you have a protein supplement from another company and your not quite sure how to use it, thats ok, bring it in and we will help you use it within your normal routine to get the best results!

For more information call us today at 703-897-6299!