Today's consumer of whey protein is more likely to be a bodybuilder than the arachnophobic heroine of a nursery rhyme. But the food is the same -- sort of. Curds and whey were probably something like cottage cheese. Whey protein is a nutritional Prime Boosts Supplement that comes from milk. It's isolated from the rest of the milk through various purification processes. Only 20 percent of milk's protein is whey. The rest is casein (itself an ingredient of many other protein supplements). Casein is the protein that triggers most milk allergies, so whey protein -- if it's relatively pure -- may be a way for people with allergies to get dairy proteins into their diets. However, it can still set off some allergic reactions, and it can trigger lactose intolerance as well, so proceed with caution. ­The makers of nutritional supplements tout whey protein as a way to build lean muscle mass, recover from workouts and lose weight.

Some doctors urge caution, though. No one questions that whey protein can be an effective source of dietary protein, but do you need it at all? And what happens if you don't need it and consume it anyway? This article will tell you a bit more about whey protein, which could offer benefits to weightlifters and dieters alike. But it can cause some side effects that are a bit scarier than spiders. Read on. It helps your cells grow, replace themselves and repair themselves. In fact, protein is a component of every major See details body system and every fluid except bile and urine. Your body makes some proteins on its own, from the 12 amino acids it can produce. The other nine amino acids you must get from dietary protein. Whey protein is one such source, and it provides all nine amino acids. Basically, it works in your body the same way, say, a steak does.

The faster your body gets the protein, the more quickly it can start building new muscle. And most whey protein is low-fat or fat-free, whereas a steak is not. The amount of protein the body needs depends on the body. Opinions vary as to how best to calculate it, but you should take into account your body weight, your body fat composition, your activity level and your nutritional goals. What if you consume more than that? The protein you don't need doesn't get stored as muscle-in-waiting. Your body breaks it down into amino acids, then into fatty acids and sugars. These chemicals travel to the liver, which converts them into cholesterol and fat. Read on for a look at the potential benefits of whey protein. The answer is probably less than you think. If you eat a two-egg omelet with cheese, you've probably had as much protein as you need all day. Most adults need only two or Prime Boosts Official three servings, and a serving is fairly small: two or three ounces of fish; one egg; a few spoonfuls of peanut butter; an ounce of cheese; half a cup of beans.

These bodies aren't just maintaining, they're producing. In fact, you can't build muscle without what's called a "positive protein balance." That means your protein synthesis -- your production of protein -- must be greater than the destruction of muscle the exercise causes. To boost protein synthesis, some physicians recommend consuming protein after a workout. For athletes -- and the people who want to look like them -- the form of that protein can be important. If you're trying to lose weight, maintain your heart health or achieve lean bodybuilder-style definition, the fat, cholesterol and calories associated with many forms of protein could be a problem. That's why some people turn to supplements. Whey protein isolate is fat-free, and it's filling. It also has a very high biological value, or BV. BV is a measure of the body's ability to absorb a protein. Basically, whey protein is pure, no-frills protein, designed to be absorbed thoroughly and quickly.