Whey Protein comes from milk and makes up around 20% of its protein. The other 80% is called casein which is an ingredient in some other protein supplements. The whey must undergo several isolation processes to separate it from the milk itself.
Whey protein, if its pure, will be free of most of the causes of milk allergies, as most of these are contained in the casein that is extracted during the purification process. Whey protein therefore can be a good dietary option for people with these kinds of allergies, however whey isn’t necessarily suitable for people who are completely lactose intolerant.
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.
In fact, one of the most ironic things about whey protein is that your dieting and muscle building can result in you not being able to work out any more at all. If you develop gout, then this could be a risk you face.
People develop gout when there is a build up of excess protein that crystallises itself as uric acid and settles usually in the joints of your big toes to start with, and then as the condition worsens it will spread up your feet and legs until all of the muscles, tendons and joints in them are stiff and painful to the point where you almost cant move them.
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.