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Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is the most bio-available protein, meaning that your body is able to utilise a higher percentage of it to transport amino acids (Metabolised Protein) to your muscles. Unfortunately it doesn't hang around very long (1hr) and should really only be used directly after training for maximum benefit.
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) is similar to WPI but not as refined and therefore not as bio-available. Generally a lot cheaper than WPI and this is generally the reason why people use WPC. Like WPI it is metabolised in about an hour and is generally only suitable for after training.
Calcium Caseinate is a slower digesting protein that instead of delivering one big whack of amino acids to your muscles in one hit, it slowly trickles out amino acids over a period of up to 7 hours. These proteins are common in meal replacements as they are more filling than say, a WPI shake. Great for use throughout the day and just before bed is an especially good time as we are going to sleep for say, 8 hours, and our stomach will have something to metabolise while we are sleeping, feeding our muscles.
Protein Blends are the best bet for an all in one protein hit. As the name suggests, they are a blend of different protein sources. Some blends are just simply a mix of WPI/WPC, others can be a more complex mix with say... WPI/WPC/Egg Albumen (Egg Protein)/Casein. In a blend you are getting a good mix of fast and slow-acting proteins, therefore you can really use it at any time of the day. In-between meals, with a meal, after training, before bed.
Meal Replacements (MRP) are usually in the form of powder (they can be mixed with water or skim milk) and are a combination of protein and carbohydrates. They have been promoted a lot these days as great for weight loss, but be careful! Drinking these all day every day is not healthy and not sustainable. Also make sure you check the sugar content on each serving, we have seen some as high as 25g (sugars can be described in may different ways). The best way to lose weight is no secret, Burn more calorie than you consume! Make sure you have a healthy diet with exercise and eat 5-6 small meals per day. Replacing 1-2 of these meals with an MRP is fine and will assist you in weight loss. If you want to make your own MRP then try mixing our Flavoured Blend Protein with Calcium Caseinate (ratio 75:25) to give you a great tasting shake with less than 4g of sugar per serve.
Weight gainers are a form of protein and some sugar, be it Dextrose, Glucose, Maltodextrin, Maize. The only real problem with weight gainers is you pay a lot of money for what is essentially sugar. A better way to do it is buy your own dextrose and maltodextrin, then purchase your Whey Natural protein on its own, and then mix the two together. 50:50 ratio if you're a naturally skinny person who struggles to gain weight, or slightly more protein than sugar if you're prone to getting a little flabby.
The trick to gaining weight and muscle in particular is to never let yourself get hungry.
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