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.
So how much is the right amount of whey protein to take? Can you take too much? Well, the straightforward answer is yes, you can take too much, doctors will most probably advise that you use these supplements fairly cautiously as they have sometimes been known to have some 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 using whey protein, when all is said and done, is a great method of losing weight and/or gaining muscle. However you should always find out as much as you can about the potential unwanted effects it could have, but when used properly, it can be highly effective.
