Rule 1 - Whey Blend

Dr Francesca Alves, PhD

Rule 1 – what’s with all the whey?

Whey protein supplements are one of the most common and popular choices due to their high protein and low carb and fat composition. However, what you may not realise is that there are several different compositions of whey, each processed differently to provide various benefits.  Rule 1 Whey blend boasts the optimal inclusion of WPI, WPC and WPH…so let’s break down what these acronyms stand for and why you should look for a protein supplement that incorporates several different forms of whey.

Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)

WPC undergoes the least amount of processing, which helps retain more of the beneficial nutrients found in whey, like immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Beyond having a high protein content, WPC also enhances free radical scavenging activity, making it a rich source of antioxidants [1].  WPC has also been shown to induce cellular biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), a key molecule that helps to protect against oxidative stress and damage [2]. Oxidative damage has been suggested as one of the factors that accelerate muscle wasting with age [3]– so WPC brings a dual benefit of high protein and antioxidant activity!

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)

Undergoes additional processing to remove more fats and lactose, making it purer than concentrate. As a result, the protein content is significantly higher with a reduced caloric density due to the removal of fats. The protein potency includes a high concentration of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) which makes WPI the ideal formulation to boost muscle protein synthesis post exercise to increase muscle size and strength [4].

Whey Protein Hydrolysate (WPH)

WPH undergoes further processing, including hydrolysis, where the protein is partially broken down into smaller peptides. While the protein content is similar to WPI, the proteins are partially digested, making them easier to absorb and activate protein synthesis [5, 6]. You may be thinking: why not just have WPH instead of WPI? Well, the hydrolysis step gives WPH a bitter taste which will obviously impact the flavour of a protein shake.

To get the optimal combination of flavour and function, Rule 1 has blended WPI, WPC and WPH. This creates a superior supplement that has 1.) a high protein potency that is easily digested to increase muscle recovery, size and strength; 2.) boosts antioxidant generation to combat oxidative stress and muscle damage; and 3.) tastes amazing!

Note: Lactose intolerance is a key consideration for restricting to single sources of whey. The added processing of WPI and WPH attempts to remove lactose making them better choices for people with lactose intolerance.