Whey Protein Supplements And Their Effects

Milk is around 80% casein and around 20% whey protein. Whey protein is one of the leading dietary supplements for weight loss and muscle growth, and when concentrated, is very effective.

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.

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 overall, using whey protein is an effective way of shedding unwanted fat, or gaining lean muscle, but its worth doing the research before hand to ensure that you don't experience any undesired effects.