Whey Protein Supplements And Their Effects
Milk is around 80% casein and around 20% whey protein. Whey protein is one of the leading dietary supplements for weight loss and muscle growth, and when concentrated, is very effective.
If whey protein is pure, then you should be able to consume it without being effected by most of the allergies associated with milk as the triggers for most of these are in casein, however whey has still been known to trigger reactions caused by lactose intolerance.
There is no question that whey protein can help with weight loss and muscle building, but do we need a lot of it? What happens if you have too much? Some doctors have been known to advise caution to people using whey protein as if too much is consumed it can cause harmful side effects.
One of the most ironic things about these side effects is that your working out practices can result in not being able to work out anymore. Gout is the reason for this and it is one of the most unpleasant side effects that can be brought on by excess protein.
Gout is developed if you take far too much of any protein supplement. What happens is basically the body doesn’t quite know what to do with all the protein that its being force fed, so the protein crystallises itself and then settles on your muscles, joints and tendons as uric acid. It will usually start in your big toes and make its way up your feet and legs, making joints and muscles, stiff, painful and brittle.
Too much protein is also one of the main causes of kidney and liver damage, kidney stones are not uncommon in very high protein diets, but as long as common sense and patience are applied and you don’t go overboard with your supplements, then you should be alright. The right amount to take varies from person to person and the main deciding factor for the right amount to take is body mass. I recommend consulting with your doctor before you start out on supplements as he/she will be able to guide you as to the right amount to use based on your body mass.
So whey protein, we can conclude, is an effective source of protein for your body to lose unwanted fat or gain some lean muscle, but you should always do all the research you can before you start using supplements of any kind to make sure you wont be troubled by unwanted side-effects.
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You said it right with the need for common sense and not going overboard. Many side effects of supplements are caused by people abusing the products. If you follow the recommended dosages on the lables you should be fine.
However, if you are prone to side effects there’s nothing wrong with starting with a lower dosage. Even with whey protein, if your body is not used to it you might get a minor stomach ache or gas. If this is you, just introduce the supplement slowly.
By the time you get the whey protein most of the milk that affects people who are lactose intolerant will be gone. But a good alternative is soy protein. The source of protein may not be as good as whey, but it still does the job well.
In terms of protein per day, a good rule of thumb is 1 gram per pound of body weight. If you exercise regularly this is ideal. Supplements alone with not help you lose weight. You must exercise as well. If you aim for 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight you should be fine.