Protein.

[ZipSpan]

What's the difference between soy protein and whey protein? Is one of them better for you?

[Marklar MM]

The debate rages on and on in online chat rooms, in gyms and in health food stores - which is better? Soy Protein or Whey Protein. Well, the truth is, they're each good in their own way. Of course, we all know that athletes and others who are working out more, simply need more protein. Below, we'll list the advantages of each type and let you make up your own mind about which works for what you need it for.

Soy Protein (Try Top of the World Pro Formula Soy Protein Powder)

* The FDA has approved the following statement: Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein a day may reduce the risk of heart disease.
* Soy protein has been found to be higher in non-essential amino acids than most animal-derived proteins, and it may also promote weight loss, according to a study in Medical Hypotheses
* A study investigating isolated soy protein indicated that athletes using soy protein fared better in performance. In the study, which appeared in the Revue Roumaine de Physiologie (29, 3-4:63-70, 1992), researchers from the Sports Medicine Ins ute in Romania reported that in 66 Olympic endurance athletes, soy protein increased lean body mass, increased strength indexes and decreased fatigue after training sessions.
* It contains more protein by weight than beef, fish or chicken, and contains less fat (especially saturated fat).
* Other studies show that soy protein isolate has the ability to effectively lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, improve kidney functions, and the consumption of 25-50 grams of soy protein daily may indeed enhance production of thyroid stimulation hormones that regulate the metabolic rate (thereby making it easier for us to lose both body weight and fat).

Whey Protein (Try Top of the World Pro Formula Whey 24 Protein Powder)

* Whey protein lacks no essential amino acids. As a result, it has a much higher biological value in terms of similarity to our own human protein. It needs no fortification or additive to make it complete. It is complete in its natural form.
* Whey protein given to sedentary individuals does not give significant performance benefits; however, combined with resistance training, even those who have immunosuppressive disorders can increase body cell mass, muscle mass and muscle strength, according to a study in AIDS (15, 18:2431-40, 2001).
* And in a trial appearing in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism (11, 3:349-64, 2001) whey-protein supplementation led to significant improvements in knee extension peak torque and lean tissue mass. "Whey protein is superior to other proteins when it comes to anabolic response," said Marcus C.C.W. Elliott, M.D., who created a muscle-conditioning and injury prevention program for the New England Patriots and is on the advisory board for Culver City, Calif.-based Cold Fusion Foods. "Whey protein has consistently been shown to stimulate the anabolic hormones after a workout."
* It mixes well and is low in fat and lactose, and has a superior amino acid profile.
* whey enhances the immune system because it raises glutathione levels. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps our immune cells stay charged to help ward off cancer, bacterial infection and viruses.
* Whey is also very high in glutamine and the branch chain amino acids L-leucine, L-valine and L-isoleucine, important aminos for repairing muscle.

[tlongII]

Soy protein is derived from soy bean product and whey protein is derived from milk product. Soy protein may be more healthy in that it may reduce cholesterol among other things. However, many body-builders prefer whey protein as they believe it is more easily digested and promotes muscle regeneration better.

[Bob Lanier]

Soy protein makes you gay.

[NorCal510]

whey all the way

protein makes your breasts grow...

[cornbread]

Soy protein makes you gay.

Pretty much.

[ZipSpan]

Thanks for all the info!

[johngateswhiteley]

...however, most lifters consume much more protein than is actually needed. keep this in mind:

1. a male athlete cannot benefit from more than 0.9 grams of protein a day, anything beyond that is wasted. and more realistically in the 0.6-0.8 range meaning a 150 male would need 90-120 grams of protein. though probably only around 105, imo

2. protein cannot be stored in the body, therefore anything over necessity is wasted

3. (cannot remember where i read this) but most males working out typically only need another 15 grams of protein a day to build as much muscle as their workouts permit

4. the typical American consumes twice the recommended amount of protein already...therefore, besides the very few that actually need supplements, everyone is wasting their money.

[THE SIXTH MAN]

...however, most lifters consume much more protein than is actually needed. keep this in mind:

1. a male athlete cannot benefit from more than 0.9 grams of protein a day, anything beyond that is wasted. and more realistically in the 0.6-0.8 range meaning a 150 male would need 90-120 grams of protein. though probably only around 105, imo

2. protein cannot be stored in the body, therefore anything over necessity is wasted

3. (cannot remember where i read this) but most males working out typically only need another 15 grams of protein a day to build as much muscle as their workouts permit

4. the typical American consumes twice the recommended amount of protein already...therefore, besides the very few that actually need supplements, everyone is wasting their money.

This is true. A lot of people don't take this in to account when they take these supplements.

[tlongII]

It's all about the steroids and HGH. That's what you need to get BIG.

[NorCal510]

...however, most lifters consume much more protein than is actually needed. keep this in mind:

1. a male athlete cannot benefit from more than 0.9 grams of protein a day, anything beyond that is wasted. and more realistically in the 0.6-0.8 range meaning a 150 male would need 90-120 grams of protein. though probably only around 105, imo

2. protein cannot be stored in the body, therefore anything over necessity is wasted

3. (cannot remember where i read this) but most males working out typically only need another 15 grams of protein a day to build as much muscle as their workouts permit

4. the typical American consumes twice the recommended amount of protein already...therefore, besides the very few that actually need supplements, everyone is wasting their money.

are u ting me? i'm on protein mixes right now just so i can bulk up easier on workouts. so your telling me this doesnt work? i heard something about taking excessive nutrients is wasted once your body can take in no more. so as long as i drink my milk and eat some eggs/meat im good? those protein drinks taste like anyway...

[ALVAREZ6]

are u ting me? i'm on protein mixes right now just so i can bulk up easier on workouts. so your telling me this doesnt work? i heard something about taking excessive nutrients is wasted once your body can take in no more. so as long as i drink my milk and eat some eggs/meat im good? those protein drinks taste like anyway...

Protein shakes are a waste of money, they don't even help you gain weight. I've tried them for a bit, and it's no different from just eating a lot. Just eat a lot of eggs, steak, chicken...that stuff.

[E20]

Be like Rocky. 6 Raw Eggs in teh morning.

[tlongII]

I'm not sure there is no added benefit from taking supplements and/or protein shakes. I would like to see Shoog's opinion.

[mardigan]

Zipspan needs natural protien

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Protein shakes are a waste of money, they don't even help you gain weight. I've tried them for a bit, and it's no different from just eating a lot. Just eat a lot of eggs, steak, chicken...that stuff.

Adding calories to your diet will make you gain weight regardless if it comes from eggs or a protein shake.

[ShoogarBear]

4. the typical American consumes twice the recommended amount of protein already...therefore, besides the very few that actually need supplements, everyone is wasting their money.

Ding, ding, ding.

Also, the quote in Marklar's post about soy protein improving kidney function is pure bull . I can't speak directly about some of the other points about either form of protein, but I suspect many of them are not true, either.

[ShoogarBear]

Protein shakes may be useful for people who are trying to lose weight by exercising but still want to maintain reasonable caloric intake.

The most beneficial use of them, though, is nutritional supplementation of people who are or have been ill or hospitalized for a long time.

[E20]

Depends on the protien shake itself. Most shakes have little Fat, Cholestorol or Carbs and advise you to take with water.

There are many out there that induce weight gain in order to bulk up besides creatin. Muscle Milk and Weight Gainer 1850 are a few to name, they pack a large amount of Protien with Carbs and Fats and are best taken by mixing with whole milk. WG 1850 got me to go from 140 to 165 over a summer, that and drinking 5 glasses of whole milk a day.

To gain weight and muscle mass via Protien shakes you can't just factor in Protien.

My choice personally is in order bulk up is eating Milk, Eggs, Meat, Beans, Bread or Rice, lots of water and take some vitamin pills or do it the hard way through fruits and vegetables. Workout, make a shake right after with Powder, Milk and eggs. Also, eating 4-5 times a day, not 2 or 3 big ones, with meals that give out the right porportions of Protien, Carbs and Fats that meet my requirements.

[ShoogarBear]

Yeah, I didn't mean take ONLY the shake, but to be used as a supplement.

[E20]

Yeah, I didn't mean take ONLY the shake, but to be used as a supplement.

I wasn't directing it to you. I just wanted to add in my 11 cents to the topic.

[ObiwanGinobili]

Protein shakes are a waste of money, they don't even help you gain weight. I've tried them for a bit, and it's no different from just eating a lot. Just eat a lot of eggs, steak, chicken...that stuff.

a protien shake won;t no.
but a weight gainer or meal replacement added to a regular diet will.

regardless- more calories intook than burned ='s weight gained.

[ObiwanGinobili]

I know some people try to stay away fro mthe soy because of the unknown effects of the excess phytoestrogen.
and whey generally taste better.

I like cytosport whey concentrate as a 'just protien' shake. there's 101 servings per jug at $27 and it taste really yummy.

[johngateswhiteley]

are u ting me? i'm on protein mixes right now just so i can bulk up easier on workouts. so your telling me this doesnt work? i heard something about taking excessive nutrients is wasted once your body can take in no more. so as long as i drink my milk and eat some eggs/meat im good? those protein drinks taste like anyway...

no, i am not ting you. just eat a lot of healthy food and you should be fine.

...on a side note, i think its fairly obvious why some of the professional athletes are so big/fast...and eating more protein or intaking any legal supplements won't get you there. concentrate on doing it the right way and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

[ALVAREZ6]

I can't gain weight. I eat about 5,000 calories a day, lift 3-4 times a week, yet can't gain in weight, or when I do, it doesn't stay on for long. The quicker you put on the weight the faster you lose it I guess.