All whey protein powders are the same right? That may have been true in the 1940′s when whey protein first came out as a nutritional supplement, but not this day and age. Biochemists have now refined areas of whey protein allowing the body to absorb it faster and more efficiently. Not only that, but they’ve managed to make it taste good. The question is, what’s the best whey protein for your buck? Optimim nutrition 100 whey gold looks promising.

What Makes It Unique:

The name of the game these days is whey protein isolate. This means that 90% of the weight of the whey protein powder is pure protein. For those who don’t know the difference between whey isolate and whey protein, whey isolate is processed further to reduce the fat and carb content in the powder. However there are many whey isolate protein powders out there. The difference with Optimum nutrition 100 whey gold is that it’s hydrowhey.

Hydrowhey is whey isolate protein that is refined to incredibly small sizes. This allows for instant absorption in the stomach and lower intestines. After a work out your body craves protein and nutrients immediately. The faster you can provide your body with these nutrients, the better your results will be. This is what hydrowhey helps to accomplish.

Optimum nutrition 100 whey gold also has ion-exchange whey protein isolates. Ion exchange whey protein isolates results in a complete protein. This means that every section of the amino acid chain that makes up a complete protein is accounted for. This of course provides your body with better building blocks to work with.

Optimum nutrition 100 whey gold is also ultrafiltered and infused with hydrolized whey peptides. This is a fancy way of saying that the absorption rate is second to none. People have reported that the taste of this protein powder is fantastic and mixes very easily into any solution. Optimum nutrition 100 whey gold claims to provide the following:

1) More whey protein isolates than other protein powders

2) Highest protein percentage at 79% pure complete protein

3) Includes the most hydrowhey and whey peptides to ensure rapid absorption

4) Contains lactase and aminogen digestive enzymes for even quicker absorption rates. This is also helpful for those who are lactose intolerant.

5) Mixes with just a few twirls of a spoon

6) Contains whey protein microfractions including Alpha-lactalbumin, Iactoperoxidase, Lactoferrin, Immunoglobulin G (IgG), Beta-lactoglobulin, Glycomacropeptides, and other various growth factors.

7) Contains over 4 grams of glutamine and 5.5 grams of BCAA’s

So it’s pretty clear that this is a high quality protein powder. Let’s see what the real world has to say about the pro’s and con’s of this supplement.

Reported Pro’s:

1) Mixes very easily

2) Great value for your money

3) Great tasting

4) Truly builds muscle

Reported Con’s:

1) No cons, is a popular comment

2) Some claim it’s not a good meal replacement

3) Price is a little high

4) Digested faster than expected (how is that a bad thing in this instance?)

The Science Behind It:

The biggest key to 100 whey gold is that its protein is hydrowhey. This whey protein is 90% or more pure complete protein and is broken down into micro-portions that allow for instant absorption. As the hyrdowhey protein solution moves through your stomach and into your small intestines more enzymes further break down the amino acids of the protein and transport the nutrition quickly and effectively to your muscles for immediate repair.

This helps to combat catabolism and puts your body instantly into an anabolic muscle building state after your workout routine to gain muscle. The BCAA’s in 100 whey gold also stimulate protein synthesis. There are 5.5 grams of BCAA’s in every serving of nutrition 100 whey gold. You also receive 24 grams of protein per scoop (per serving).

Company Credibility:

Optimum Nutrition was created in 1986 by two brothers, Tony and Michael Costello. The star performing product has always been the 100 Whey Gold protein powder. In fact, it was voted as supplement of the year in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. This does look to be one of the best if not the best protein powders out there to combine with your workout routine to gain muscle.

What Do Real People Think?

Final Thoughts:

This is clearly a very high quality whey protein isolate. It’s one of the widest accepted protein powders on the market and it comes the most recommended. The price isn’t that bad at all when you consider the quality that you’re getting. Also, if you order in bulk size significant savings can be made.

This is also GNC’s top selling protein powder. Some people consider whey protein to be more of a food than a supplement. I recommend this protein powder for anyone who is training with a workout routine to gain muscle. Another supplement that I recommend is Scivation Xtend. Below are prices for a 5 lb tub of Optimum Nurition 100 Whey Gold.