If you are considering adding a protein supplement to your fitness regimen, how do you evaluate soy protein vs whey protein? It helps to know something about each type of protein supplement. Then you can determine which one is right for you and your specific needs.
Soy Protein
Protein Shake
Soy protein is a plant-based form of protein. In fact, it is the only complete protein available from a vegetable source. Soy protein is considered to be a heart-healthy choice and including it as part of your diet can reduce your risk of heart disease when combined with a fat that is low in fat and cholesterol.
Soy protein is a good choice for vegetarians or for those people who are lactose-intolerant. Consuming this product may also help to preserve your bone density, as well. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that 25 grams of soy be consumed to reduce your overall cholesterol level. You can divide up your daily soy requirement into four servings of 6.25 grams each.
Consuming products containing soy protein on a regular basis will have other health benefits for you as well. If you are a woman, this change in your eating habits will lower your risk of developing breast cancer and relieve symptoms of menopause. Men who consume soy protein on a regular basis see real health benefits as well; they will be less likely to get prostate cancer.
Whey Protein
Whey protein is a very common source of protein. You will find it in a number of protein supplements on store shelves. This complete protein is a milk-based product; think of Little Miss Muffet and her "curds and whey." Whey protein is derived from cheese.
If your goal is to build up lean muscle on your body, you will want to include a whey protein supplement in your routine. If you skip this step, you could potentially spend hours working out in the gym without seeing any change in your lean muscle mass, since muscle needs protein to be able to grow.
Another advantage to using whey protein is that it aids in weight loss. When your body is trying to digest protein, it requires more energy to do so than when you consume other types of foods. When you eat whey protein, the rate at which your body absorbs glucose is slowed down. You are less likely to feel hungry and therefore, less likely to overeat.
There are other health benefits of eating whey protein as well. It will help to strengthen your immune system and help you recover faster if you get ill. Whey protein may be taken by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; it is easy to digest and provides much-needed nourishment to a person who is already feeling lousy because of the treatments. The results of some studies on animals point to whey protein as a substance that can stop the growth of cancerous tumors.
Whey protein is not just for adults, either. It contains many of the same compounds as breast milk, and is used by infant formula manufacturers in their products. Some of these formulas have proven effective in cutting down on the amount of crying that colicky babies do. (Any parent who has lived through that time in their baby's life probably wishes someone had told them about whey protein formula sooner!)
