Protein powder is very popular among health conscious people, use this expert advice on the different ingredients in protein powder to find the right muscle gain supplement.

Protein powders come from various sources and are available in many formulations. People use them to help increase muscle mass, improve the body’s overall structure, and meet their protein needs.

Although not everyone needs protein supplements, they can help give you strength training or not meet your protein needs with diet alone. But when your goal is to gain muscle, you need protein calories with more calories than carbohydrates and fat.

There are so many types of protein powders are made from a variety of sources. Since there are so many options, it can be difficult to determine which one will provide the optimal result.

What is protein powder?

Protein powder is high in amino acids, the building blocks of muscles. When you emphasize your muscles during a workout, amino acids help to repair your muscle tissue and make it stronger and bigger. They are the fuel you need to gain muscle mass.

These essential amino acids can also help protect your muscles from breaking down, especially when you are on a low calorie diet or doing a light-speed metabolism. This is one of the reasons why many people who lift weights prefer to take a protein shake before bed, when the body will be without food for long.

Getting enough protein is essential for good health. Getting enough protein from food can be difficult, so incorporating protein powder into your diet is a convenient way to increase your intake. A high protein intake is especially important for athletes (even amateur athletes and gym goers) and people on a weight loss diet.

When you are working on losing fat, excess protein can give you a leg up in some ways. For one thing, it is very full despite being relatively low-calorie, so it can save you from feeling hungry while dieting.

Also, since protein supports your muscles, it can help the metabolism stay high. Muscle burns more calories than fat, so the more muscle you have (even if you don’t look big), the more calories you burn.

Also, it takes more energy to digest protein than calories and fat, so the more protein you eat, the more calories you burn through digestion.

Three common forms of protein powder

Protein powder can provide high quality protein in a concentrated source such as animals or plants such as dairy, eggs, rice, or peas.

1. Protein concentrates

Produced by extracting protein from whole food using heat and acid or enzyme. They usually supply 60–80% protein, with the remaining 20–40% being made up of fat and carb.

2. Protein isolates

An additional filtering process removes more fat and carbs, and further concentrating the protein. Protein isolated powders contain about 90–95% protein.

3. Protein hydrolysates

Produced by further heating with acids or enzymes – which break the bond between amino acids – hydrolysates are absorbed more quickly by your body and muscles.

Hydrolilates appear to increase insulin levels more than other forms – at least in the case of whey protein. It can increase your muscle growth after exercise.

How to choose protein powder for muscle gain

Some protein powders are fortified with vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. It is best to choose protein based on your dietary preferences, food tolerance and health and fitness goals.

Consider these factors while buying protein for muscle gain

1. Check The company uses third-party testing

Third-party testing ensures that the product is free of harmful contaminants and banned substances.

2. Check Products manufactured in a CGMP-certified facility

This label ensures adherence to high manufacturing standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

3. Check All ingredients are listed openly

Some companies use proprietary blends to hide specific ingredients and quantities used. It is best to avoid these products due to lack of transparency.

4. Flavors

Protein powders range from basic chocolate and vanilla to mocha and even birthday cakes have a variety of flavors. Depending on the ingredients, some may taste more chocolate or artificial than others.

5. Check Dietary Restrictions

When choosing protein powder, you want to take into consideration any dietary restrictions or food sensitivity you may have. There are protein powders to accommodate most diets, including dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian options, as well as those that have no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. If you have questions about adding protein powder to your diet, talk to your registered dietitian or doctor. They can help you determine if a protein powder is right for you.

Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain

In this list, the best protein for muscle gain products, which we have selected based on quality, taste, price, and companies follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria.

1. Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein Powder

2. Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder

• Ideal for athletes and others who are serious about building muscle, EAS 100% Whey Powder helps you maintain an active lifestyle.
• This powder is packed with high quality whey protein to gain lean muscle.Whey protein is a natural source of glutamine to support muscle growth and branching chain amino acids (BCAAs) that help muscles recover after rigorous exercise.
• The Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder contains 25 grams of premium quality protein that is different from whey protein, whey peptides, and whey protein concentrate for an ultra-premium blend of high quality protein that allows athletes to fuel their muscles is required.
• Elite 100% whey contains a fast-absorbing whey protein mixture without filler and other unnecessary ingredients. This enables you to feed your muscles fast!
• Make delicious high protein shake without guilt. Elite 100% whey contains less than 3g or carbs, 140 calories and 2g sugar per serving which aids in the development of your body structure and muscles.
• The Elite 100% Whey uses cross-flow microfiltration processing to preserve significant muscle building properties and overall efficacy of whey protein powder.
• Elite 100% Whey is based on the latest science, manufactured in GMP certified facilities and has a ban on the tested substance.

3. NitroTech 100% Whey Gold Protein Powder

• MuscleTech’s Nitro-Tech Protein Power delivers 60 grams of protein, 14.8 grams of BCAAs and 6 grams of creatine per 2 scoops from a premium multi-phase isolate and peptide blend.
• Scientifically superior musclebuilding protein powder. Nitro-Tech protein power has 6 grams of creatine monohydrate and 2.5 grams of betaine per 2 scoops, with studies have shown increase the lean muscle mass.
• Increased muscle strength. This improved engine formula is loaded with 14.8 grams of BCAAS, including 8 grams of highly anabolic leucine (per 2 scoops), and ensures igniting protein synthesis and getting your body into a prime anabolic state.
• Amplified the recovery. Nitro-Tech whey power protein powder contains 480 mg dose (per 2 scoops) of tart cherry powder that has been shown to improve recovery through decrease of the muscle soreness post-workout.
• Taste Great and Mix Easy (Two great flavors). French Vanilla Swirl and Triple Chocolate Supreme. Combine water or milk in a shaker cup. NitroTech protein power also works well in Smoothie.
• Testosterone Support for Men. It included a scientifically studied 200mg dose of boron citrate (per 2 scoop), a dose supply of boron that reduces estradiol, and free testosterone in the normal range in just 7 days Shown to increase.

4. Core Nutritionals Grow

• To gain your weight, you have to consume more calories than you spend regularly.
• For those who struggle to get enough calories, the mass gainner supplements have extra calories above the standard dose of protein.
• Core Nutritional Grow is a unique mass gainer made from whole foods ingredients such as sweet potato, oats, avocado oil, MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil and whey protein concentrate – all in powder form.
• It provides an excellent source of protein and calories, which you can consume throughout the day or as a snack.
• Core Nutritionals Grow is produced in a cGMP-certified facility and free of maltodextrin and other fillers, making it a reliable product among fitness professionals. In addition, it packs digestive enzymes and comes in two flavors – Chocolate Bliss and Peanut Butter Pie.

5. Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder

• Garden of Life Certified Organic Grass Fed Muscle Gain Whey Protein Powder takes the top spot among protein powders for men because of its high-quality, pasture-raised, grass-fed protein.
• With 21 grams of easy-to-digest protein in each serving (31.5 grams), the creamy vanilla flavor adds a delicious taste and a protein boost to your post-workout beverage.
• The USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified protein is sweetened with stevia and is free of added sugars.
• Each serving contains 4.7 grams of BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) to help you refuel and repair muscles post-workout.
• The Certified Gluten-Free product contains 120 calories per serving (31.5 grams) with only 6 grams of carbohydrates.
• It’s also good for easy digestion, as each serving contributes 2 billion CFU probiotics from Bifidobacterium lactis.
• Available in creamy & delicious Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Peanut Butter Chocolate & Unflavored.

6. Naked WHEY 100% Grass Fed Unflavored Whey Protein

• 100% Grass Fed Pure Whey Protein Powder with zero additives. It has no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors and is GMO-Free, Growth Hormone Free, Soy Free and Gluten-Free Whey protein powder.
• All Natural Diet. Its grass fed whey is sourced from small dairy farms in California, providing you with a non-denatured whey full of essential amino acids, clean protein, and glutathione.
• Maximum Nutrition. Its contains 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of sugar, 3 grams of carbs, 120 calories, and 5.9 grams of BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) in per serving (30 grams).
• Cold Processed. Unlike most whey protein powders, Neked Whey is cold-processed to ensure zero contamination from chemical detergents (no acids or bleach), synthetic additives, or heavy metals, and is a naturally occurring growth factor.
• The perfect work partner. Create whey shakes, smoothies, recipes, and pre and post workout drinks to gain your muscle and recovery take you to new heights.
• Naked Whey goes through Informed Choice testing, a quality assurance program for sports nutrition products, supplementing suppliers and manufacturing facilities for the sports nutrition industry.

7. Vega One All-In-One Nutritional Shake

• The All in one plant-based vegetarian protein supplement is made from real, whole food ingredients. Blend a Vega One’s serving with your favorite fruit as a meal replacement.
• It contains 20 grams of premium, plant based protein from pea, cannabis, seca inchi, and flax for a complete amino acid profile.
• This blend has 50% daily intake of vitamins and minerals from broccoli, bananas, spirulina, strawberries; and has 25% DV fiber, 1.5 grams of omega 3s, probiotics and antioxidants.
• Vega One is a non-GMO project verified, vegan certified, low glycemic, gluten free, and made without dairy, whey or soy content. Vega undergoes a strict testing protocol to ensure a <20ppm gluten.
• Tubs of the Vega One can include inner vented seal, with holes featuring inner seal.

Takeaway

Protein powder can provide high quality protein in a concentrated, convenient form. When trying a new protein supplement, pay attention to how your body reacts. As with any supplement, you may want to take a break every time or alternate between different products.

Although not all needs protein supplements, they can help you if you do strength training or cannot meet protein needs with your diet alone.

If you want to consume protein for muscle gain, try one of these protein powder products today. And remember that in addition to water, include plenty of whole, fresh foods in your diet, including natural sources of protein, fiber.

1. Kim MH, Kim H. The Roles of Glutamine in the Intestine and Its Implication in Intestinal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(5):1051. doi:10.3390/ijms18051051[↩]