Protein is an essential macro nutrient in your diet and the central building block of all human muscle fibers. It's highly important to supplement your diet with high quality protein supplements, especially when engaged in heavy training or conditioning, as the extra protein helps to rebuild the muscles you're breaking down and straining in the gym. Most protein supplements are whey based, which is an ingredient derived from milk and dairy. Some people can't tolerate dairy products, or prefer not to, and so soy and other vegetable-based protein alternatives exist on the market. Due to the carbohydrate content, sometimes a gluten sensitivity must be considered when reviewing protein ingredients as well.
Protein Supplements
All Supzilla stores carry a broad range of premium protein supplements and powders, including our famous bulk scoops by the pound. Which one you choose to consume depends heavily on your body type and current fitness goals. Part of the Supzilla promise is the custom advice you'll get from our fitness and nutrition experts here in the store about what supplements you should be taking to reach your goals. We thought we would share some insights on protein supplements from our store pros for easy reference.
Protein Isolates
Protein Isolates are highly concentrated servings of quality whey protein that contain more grams of protein with less carbohydrates, lactose, and fat content. Isolates are fast-absorbing and ideal for post-workout refueling. Rapid digestion means generating free amino acids more rapidly when your body truly needs it. While protein isolates are absorbed and digested more quickly, the protein molecules and amino acids are also quickly spent, making isolates a short term solution for protein supplementation. Our pros often recommend Rule1 brand proteins due to the clean formula, high quality of ingredients, and variety of blends and uses.
Casein Protein
Casein on the other hand, digests much more slowly in the body. Casein is the most abundant protein in milk and forms a gelatinous structure when broken down in the stomach, hence the slow absorption and depletion. We recommend casein protein supplements for meal replacement shakes and pre-bedtime snacks, as the nutrients stay with you longer and satisfy the body's need for raw building blocks longer than isolates.
Protein Blends
Of course, the most common approach to quality protein supplementation is a healthy blend of pure protein isolates with slow digesting casein. A healthy blended protein will offer the best of both worlds, with fast absorbing isolates for immediate digestion and other slow-moving casein proteins to last for a few hours after consumption.
Interested in getting some high quality protein to help build strong muscles?
Stop in to your local Supzilla store and talk to one of our fitness pros about the product that's right for you and your fitness goals.
Come get a scoop!