Best protein powders for muscle gain?

Arthur Sanchez79 said:Stick to standard whey. This specific blend includes casein, which slows down absorption—exactly what you don't want immediately following a workout. Casein is better suited for right before bed or as a meal replacement, though you can achieve similar results with whey too. For a casual gym-goer, the difference might be negligible since the big picture matters more, but if you have the choice, I’d go with pure whey.🙂

A blend is actually the superior route here. Manufacturers are phased out producing basic whey concentrates paired with isolates, or even just straight concentrate. Look at BSN; they don't even offer pure whey anymore, despite being known for their pro-level lines. Even Gaspari moved away from simple concentrate/isolate mixes toward their newer Myofusion Hydro line, which uses a complex protein blend.
Elite athletes almost exclusively use blends post-workout rather than plain whey.

What’s the reasoning here? 🙂

Arthur Sanchez79 said:Reasons? 🙂

I’ve come across this before. Essentially, rapid absorption—specifically oxidation in the liver—converts a significant portion of whey into glucose via gluconeogenesis, regardless of whether you take it with carbs or not. It's a headache. There are studies backing this up, though we're still in the "more research needed" phase. ...............
Besides, for a casual lifter, it doesn't even matter. Sure, the fast absorption of whey is a perk, but it isn't going to drastically outperform other protein sources when it comes to repairing muscle micro-trauma. In principle, you could just grab a solid meal after your workout—something like chicken breast or egg whites paired with some white bread—and the recovery effect would be virtually identical. I'm talking about the average person hitting the gym, not someone training twice a day, six days a week.
From a purely financial standpoint, I’d rather stick to supplements (whether it's straight whey or a blend) simply because it's cheaper and faster than prepping a full lunch every single day.

slydriver52 said:I recall coming across some information regarding this very topic. Essentially, the rapid absorption—or rather, the oxidation occurring within the liver—converts a significant portion of whey into glucose via gluconeogenesis, regardless of whether it is consumed alongside carbohydrates or on its own, ugh. There are studies documenting this phenomenon, though one must admit that research in this area remains somewhat insufficient...............
Furthermore, does such a distinction even matter for the average recreational lifter? While the speed of absorption provides a slight edge to whey, is it truly so significant for repairing microtrauma when compared to other protein sources? In principle, you could simply consume a solid meal following your workout consisting of egg whites or chicken paired with some sort of ugh (white bread), and the impact on your recovery would be virtually identical. I am speaking, of course, about casual gym-goers who aren't training twice a day, six days a week.
From a purely financial standpoint, I find myself opting for supplements—whether it be pure whey or a blend—simply because it is far more cost-effective and efficient than the labor of prepping a full lunch every single day.

So, does this mean a protein blend would actually be superior for consumption throughout the day or in the morning (not as a post-workout meal replacement, but merely as a supplement to boost daily protein intake)? 🤔

slydriver52 said:I recall coming across some info on this. Essentially, the rapid absorption rate—specifically how the liver oxidizes it—means a significant portion of whey gets converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis, regardless of whether you pair it with carbs or not. Ugh. There are studies out there supporting this, though we're still lacking definitive, large-scale research on the nuances...
That being said, for the average gym-goer, it’s practically irrelevant. Sure, the speed of absorption is an advantage for whey, but it doesn't offer a massive edge in repairing muscle micro-trauma compared to other protein sources. In principle, you could just eat a solid meal after your workout—something like egg whites or chicken paired with a carb source like white bread—and the impact on recovery would be roughly the same. I'm talking about recreational lifters here, not people pulling double sessions six days a week.
From a purely financial standpoint, I’ll stick to supplements (whether it's pure whey or a blend) simply because it’s cheaper and faster than prepping a full lunch every single day.

So what exactly is the benefit of a blend? Unless you're buying it at a ridiculous markup, it's probably barely any cheaper. 🙂 You can always opt for whole foods, but whey hits the bloodstream faster.

Rebecca Myers38 said:So, if we're looking at this blend strictly as a dietary supplement to bolster daily protein intake—rather than using it for post-workout recovery specifically—would you say it’s better suited for morning consumption or just scattered throughout the day? 🤔

Look, you can just go ahead and take the whey protein without overthinking it. There’s really no need to turn this into some massive ordeal. If you want to blend it into a shake, go for it—it's not that complicated. 🙂

Just ordered some more ON Whey, and wouldn't you know it—the inner seal under the cap is ALREADY broken again!

The black outer seal was intact, but that inner one? Open. Again.

Anyone else dealt with this? I did a quick search and apparently, the weight of the powder can sometimes force its way through...

I’m just sitting here hoping I haven't been drinking diluted garbage or something that isn't even actual Whey all this time.

slydriver52 said:If I look at it strictly from a money perspective, I’d honestly rather just grab some supplements (like Whey or a protein blend) because, I guess, it ends up being cheaper and way faster than actually sitting down to prep a full meal.

Wait, you really think it's cheaper and faster than just making a meal? I mean, we aren't talking about a quick snack here, right? Like, a real lunch.
For me, Whey could never actually replace a proper midday meal.

Unless, maybe, you've started following those Herbalife nutrition guidelines? 😁

-Stipe

Herbalife is king 😁 😁

Honestly, I wouldn't be thrilled about finding open seals on the packaging. Haven't run into that issue with ON before... maybe it's time to look for a different supplier.

Wait, did I actually read that right? Is protein really turning into glucose? :-) I mean, yeah, I saw that, but the explanation feels kind of shaky to me. I guess that only happens if there's some kind of metabolic issue or—more likely—if you're just absolutely smashing way too much protein at once. So, as long as you're being smart about it, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

briskbison55 said:Wait, did I read that right? Are proteins actually turning into glucose? :-)

Oh, totally.
I mean, if you aren't getting enough carbs, your body just finds a way to make do, I guess.

-Stipe

I mean, I totally get why people who are constantly working out eat the way they do, but sometimes I forget that I’m part of a different crowd :-)

Rebecca Myers38 said:So, you're asking if this blend would be better taken during the day or first thing in the morning? Not as part of a strict post-workout protocol, but just as a supplement to pad out your daily protein macros? 🤔

Of course you can take it after your workout. There's no reason why you couldn't.🙂
If professional bodybuilders can pull it off, you have no excuse.

Arthur Sanchez79 said:So what’s actually the benefit of a shake? If you aren't buying it through eBay, it might save you a few cents, maybe. 🙂 You can just eat solid food, but Whey hits the bloodstream faster.

That’s exactly why casein or egg protein is added to formulas—to slow down the oxidation and absorption of the Whey. Look, I’m no doctor or scientist, so I won't lecture anyone on the biochemistry, but if experts like Jungas RL, Lacroix, Magali, and Biorie Y say that's the case, there's likely some truth to it.🤷
I can get my Whey at great prices, even lower than what you'd find on eBay.😉
Sure, Whey is fast, but I remember seeing a study posted on a forum once showing that while Whey has a slight edge over other protein sources in that first thirty to sixty minutes, the difference is practically negligible. As time passes after your workout, that advantage evaporates. After two hours, it's gone. That specific study compared Whey to low-fat milk and proved that if you're using low-fat milk, it can serve as a perfectly valid post-workout meal.

briskjackal5 said:You think it's cheaper and faster than prepping a meal... Not exactly a substitute for lunch, though.
Whey isn't going to cut it as a full lunch for me.

Unless you've switched over to following the Herbalife nutrition plan? 😁

-Stipe

Fair enough, I misspoke. I use it as a snack, not a main course.🙂

briskbison55 said:Did I read that correctly? That protein converts into glucose? :-) If so, the logic is flawed. That process typically only kicks in during metabolic disorders or—much more commonly—when you're absolutely smashing excessive amounts of protein. Stick to a smart intake and you won't have a problem.

It sounds a bit off to me too, but apparently, that's the claim, regardless of how much you eat. Ugh.
Do you really think major brands like BSN would bother offering blends if they didn't make sense, rather than just sticking to pure Whey?
I was also raised on that old-school bodybuilder myth about mixing Whey with glucose.🙂

what do you guys think about this miracle?

slydriver52 said:That’s exactly why, according to scientific consensus, people mix in casein or egg protein—to slow down the oxidation and absorption rates of the Whey. Look, I’m neither a doctor nor a research scientist, so I’m not going to lecture anyone on the biochemistry of it, but if experts like Jungas RL, Lacroix, Magali, and Biorie Y all suggest it, there’s likely some truth to the theory.🤷
I can get my hands on Whey at very reasonable prices, actually a bit cheaper than what you'd find on eBay.😉
While Whey is faster to absorb, I remember copying a study onto a forum once demonstrating that while Whey might have a slight edge during that first thirty to sixty minutes post-workout, the difference is practically negligible. As time passes after your session, that "speed advantage" evaporates. Once you hit the two-hour mark, the gap closes entirely. That specific study compared Whey against low-fat milk and concluded that if you're using low-fat milk, it can serve as an perfectly adequate post-workout meal.

You didn't specify which Whey you're talking about. I highly doubt the absorption rate of a standard concentrate is fast enough to be an issue—and we're discussing concentrates here, not isolates or hydrolysates. Anyway, let's not go down a rabbit hole; I'm a proponent of Whey, and I see you're using it too.🙂

Sam Roberts said:what do you guys think about this miracle product

Calling it a "miracle" is a stretch... honestly, it seems pretty similar to Platinum Hydrowhey, which I actually think is great.
As for how it tastes, I haven't seen this one stocked in any stores around here, so I can't say for sure.

I’m calling it a miracle, mostly because it’s the only one I've seen in all my years...