Protein Supplement Buyers Guide: Whey Protein Vs Isolate

Discover the difference between the types of protein and which products are best for your goals.

Knowing which protein is best for your goals can be daunting, given the vast amount of online information available to fitness enthusiasts today. You might be wondering what the difference between whey protein concentrate and isolate is and why it matters.

You may also consider costs, absorption rates, additional calories, and goal-specific protein powders.

All these can be essential in finding the protein powder that is suitable for you. In this article, we will review the top protein supplements that Muscle-Tech offers so that you can make an informed decision about what you need and which product fits your goals. 

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NitroTech whey protein is an excellent option if you are looking for the ultimate muscle-building formula in your post-workout shake. It combines thirty grams of high-quality protein in a blend containing whey protein concentrate, isolate, and peptides.

It also contains three grams of creatine monohydrate, a critical component to enhancing muscle mass, strength, and recovery after training. (1)

In each serving, you will also get 6.6 grams of branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which are also critical in kickstarting muscle protein synthesis post-training.

Best For:

Nitro-Tech is best for you if you are looking for a lean protein source for post-training and between meals. It combines whey protein concentrate and isolates with added creatine to provide the essentials you need to recover from training. 

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Protein Powders

NitroTech gold is another great option if you are looking for a powerful protein supplement with twenty-four grams of protein per serving. Although it has slightly less protein per serving with Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold, you'll have almost an additional thirty servings compared to NitroTech.

NitroTech 100% Whey Gold is fortified with 5.3 grams of BCAAs, providing everything you need to kickstart recovery post-workout.

However, it also has the added benefit of four grams of glutamine, which has been shown to enhance muscle protein synthesis and increase glycogen synthesis. (2)

This way, you can be sure your muscles are recovered and fueled for the next training day.

- Learn about Glutamine 

Best For: 

NitroTech 100% Whey Gold is for you if you are looking for a lean protein powder post-training or in between meals that will last you a longer time, takes advantage of glutamine supplementation, and if you prefer not to have creatine in your protein powder. 

Iso Whey provides twenty-five grams of high-quality whey isolate protein. There is no whey protein concentrate in Iso Whey, so you can be confident that most of the fat and carbohydrates have been stripped during its process.

This gives you enhanced absorption and an even leaner protein source for your post-workout needs. (3) Iso Whey also provides eleven grams of essential amino acids (EAAs) and 5.4g of BCAAs. EAAs must be consumed in the diet since they are not produced endogenously. (4)

Best For: 

Iso Whey protein is for you if you want to minimize additional calories in your post-workout protein shake and ensure you are consuming adequate amounts of EAAs in your diet. 

Also Read: Whey Protein Cholesterol - Is it Healthy or Unhealthy?

100% Mass Gainer provides everything you need to pack on pounds of lean muscle mass. Each serving offers between 1,330 and 1,500 calories, 44g-60g of protein in a blend of whey protein concentrate, isolated and hydrolyzed whey, and 280g-304g of carbohydrates, depending on if you take it with two cups of skim milk.

You'll also get 11.4g of glutamine to enhance muscle protein and glycogen synthesis, 5g of creatine, and roughly 13g of BCAAs. (2)

Best For: 

100% Mass Gainer is best for you if you struggle to put on size and strength due to your total calorie intake. Combining high-calorie, protein, and carbohydrates with creatine, glutamine, and BCAAs will make it nearly impossible not to pack on size from your training. 

Also Read: Slow vs Fast Absorbing Protein and When to Take Each

Mass Tech Elite is another mass-building supplement significantly enhanced with its protein blend and added creatine.

Inside Mass Tech Elite, you'll find a superior protein blend combining whey protein concentrate, calcium caseinate, egg albumin, whey protein isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein isolate.

This combination provides eighty grams of protein per serving and is optimized for quality and absorption with ProHydrolase. The 10g of creatine and 17g of BCAAs ensure recovery from training and the building of muscle mass.

Best For: 

Mass-Tech is best for you if you are looking for a high-calorie mass-gaining supplement that gives you just enough excess to build muscle and not fat but also provides more protein than most other mass gainers. 

Also Read: The Importance of Protein for Runners

Iso Whey Clear is a breakthrough in the protein supplement game. It provides 22g of high-quality whey protein isolate to enhance absorption and lower calories per serving.

It also contains prohydrolase, which is proven to increase the breakdown of amino acids and absorption by twenty percent.

Best For:

Iso Whey Clean is best for you if you are calorie-conscious since the supplement is an isolate form of whey protein that strips much of the carbohydrates and fat molecules. It is also best if you prefer no added sugar to your post-workout protein. 

Also Read: The 7 Best Protein Powders for Athletes

Platinum Whey + Muscle Builder from MuscleTech also provides thirty grams of protein per serving. This high-quality protein blend combines whey protein concentrate, isolate, and peptides.

In addition, you'll get three grams of creatine to boost your training performance and recovery. The core ingredients in Platinum Whey + Muscle Builder have been scientifically shown to increase muscle mass more than whey protein alone in a six-week study on trained individuals.

Best For: 

Platinum Whey + Muscle Builder is for you if you are looking for a more affordable protein powder that will not compromise the amount or quality of protein. It is also for you if you are looking for supplements backed by research to yield results. 

Also Read: Protein Powder in Coffee: Good Idea, or a Fad?

Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein provides twenty grams of high-quality grass-fed whey protein concentrate. Protein is grass-fed when the animals have been fed grass instead of grain for most of their lives and, therefore, offers superior nutrition. (5)

Grass Fed 100% takes advantage of this. It provides a high protein powder to enhance your training or healthy lifestyle with a clean protein source.

Best For: 

Grass-fed 100% is best if you are looking for protein sources that have been grass-fed to maintain a high level of nutrient availability. 

Last but certainly not least is Mass-Tech Extreme 2000, a mass-gaining protein powder that makes it almost impossible not to pack on pounds of muscle.

MassTech Extreme 2000 provides 2,350 calories, 80g of protein, and 495g of carbohydrates to amplify your recovery and create the calorie surplus you need when combined with 20oz of skim milk. In addition to over 15g of glutamine, 5g of creatine, over 17g of BCAAs, and 21 other vitamins and minerals.

Best For: 

MassTech Extreme 2000 is for you if you struggle to gain weight or your diet lacks the calories needed to support training or building muscle mass. Mass-Tech Extreme can be broken up into smaller servings for post-workout or consumed in one shot as a meal replacement. 

Whey protein concentrate is a more common type of whey protein and is the least processed form. It contains 70-80% protein by weight and retains much of milk's macronutrient profile and nutrients. 

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Whey Protein Isolate is a more processed form of whey protein that increases its absorption rate by stripping most of the fat, lactose, and carbohydrates from it. (3) This effectively lowers the calories per gram of protein and creates a more suitable option for those who are lactose intolerant. 

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Hydrolyzed whey protein is considered the "predigested" form of whey protein, having been processed to break down the protein into smaller peptides and amino acids to optimize absorption rates. (6) 

Consider your goals and objectives to determine which form of why is better for you. If you prioritize a lean protein source with high absorption rates, whey protein isolate or hydrolyzed whey may be best for you.

But, if you are budget-conscious and don't mind a more macronutrient-balanced profile, then whey protein concentrate will be a suitable option. 

Also Read: Does Creatine Make You Gain Weight? 

Picking the suitable protein powder is a crucial first step in designing your supplement stack. Knowing the key differences between the types of whey proteins can help you decide which product(s) are best for you.

If you want a more balanced macronutrient profile and are not concerned with additional calories from carbohydrates and fat, then a whey concentrate will be a fine choice for you.

But, if you want a protein powder that has been processed to enhance absorption then an Isolate or hydrolyzed form of protein will be a better option for you.

MuscleTech provides various products with varying types of protein and additional performance-enhancing substances. You are now fully equipped to make the best decision possible for your goals. All you have to do is click one of the links above and purchase the one that best fits your goals! 

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