Whey Protein Blog

The use of soy protein dates back to an earlier time than it came to be known in the U.S. Today, soy proteins are used in a variety of foods including salad dressings, soups, cheese, for instance tofu, frozen desserts, and pasta. Soy protein can be found in many foods that you eat. But if you are not a soy product fan, you can get it in the soy protein supplements that are readily available in the market these days. However, be careful to mix them with some type of whey protein supplement to make up for amino acids.

Uses

The soy protein supplement is used by body builders as an additional source of protein to increase muscle mass. Other people may use it to improve their cardiovascular health. It is also used by some women as its intake is said to be good after menopause.

Side Effects

One should be careful in taking these supplements as some people may be allergic to soy.

• Some studies show that soy protein supplements decrease testosterone levels and affect strength.
• Phytic acid is a component of soy and this acid may affect the mineral absorption in the body.
• Some people may have an upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation following a routine intake of soy proteins.
• Also, you should consult your physician before taking a dose of soy protein supplements if you are on any prescription drugs. Soy may produce negative or positive effects when mixed with those drugs.

After learning about the side effects of soy supplements, you should do a comparative study between them and whey proteins. Soy and whey proteins can be measured on various counts including their biological value, net protein utilization (NPU), amino acid score (AAS), arginine per 100g of protein, and protein digestibility percentage. Whatever the measure of comparison may be, whey protein has an edge over soy protein supplements.

While the biological value of whey proteins is 104, the biological value of soy proteins is a mere 74. The amino acid score of both is also detrimental here. Whey protein is a clear winner with an AAS of 1.14 as against the AAS of 0.99 of soy protein. Whey protein is also very good for the stomach as it is considered a natural remedy for intestinal troubles including bowel problems, constipation, and gas. Moreover, whey protein does not contain isoflavones or any other components which may cause potential hormonal imbalances.

Advantages

Although whey protein is considered to be much superior to soy protein in most of the cases, yet recent studies have proven that it as effective as whey to gain lean muscle mass. Soy comprises 30 percent carbohydrates, 38 percent protein, 18 percent oil, and 14 percent moisture for health and well being. However, the fact remains that whey protein scores over soy protein on other important factors.

Now, the onus of choosing soy protein supplements lies on you. You should be able to tell whether it is poison or panacea for you.