Protein Powder: Do You Really Need It & How it Works

One of the largest supplement categories is protein powder, and for a good reason – it’s effective. Whether you’re an elite athlete or merely an active parent trying to keep up with your kids, protein powder can help support muscle growth, repair, and recovery. It also increases satiety and preserves lean mass while dieting, which can improve body composition. 

Protein powder has unique advantages, such as its convenience and high bio-availability. Meat, for example, takes hours to digest. On the other hand, protein supplements are quickly digested and provide an immediate supply of amino acids. 

Below, we’ll discuss how protein powder works and what to expect from a quality protein supplement.

What You Should Know About This Essential Nutrient

Most assume protein is only for muscle-building, but this nutrient also plays a key role in hormone production, immune function, tissue repair, and bone growth. 

All proteins are made up of amino acids, which can be classified as essential or non-essential. 

Leucine, lysine, tryptophan, and other amino acids are considered essential because the human body cannot produce them. Therefore, they must be obtained from food. 

Non-essential amino acids, such as arginine, cysteine, glycine, and taurine, can be produced by your body.

After ingestion, protein is broken down into amino acids. Your body uses these nutrients to build and repair tissues, produce hormones, and more.

Athletes, in particular, have higher protein requirements due to their high activity and training level.

How is Protein Powder Made?

Depending on the ingredients used, protein powder can be derived from animal or plant sources. The various protein sources can be broken down into slow-, medium-, or fast-digesting proteins. 

Whey protein powder, for example, is made from cow’s milk. Producers collect fresh milk, pasteurize it, and then remove the solid part. 

Most manufacturers use a process called micro-filtration to filter the liquid whey. The end product is whey protein concentrate. 

This supplement may undergo an additional step (ultra-filtration), which reduces or removes its content of fat/lactose, resulting in whey protein isolate. 

Once these steps are completed, the liquid is put into a dryer to remove its water content. From there, it’s blended with a sweetener, artificial and/or natural flavors, and other ingredients. 

Introducing Vintage Brawn™, Our Premium Protein Blend 

Vintage Brawn™, our naturally flavored protein powder, is made with USDA-certified beef, farm-raised eggs, and hormone-free milk. 

It’s the first protein blend to combine the isolate forms of three high-quality protein sources.

Each serving provides 24 grams of premium protein. On top of that, it has only 100 calories and 2 grams of carbs per scoop. 

By using three different sources of protein, we created a product with both immediate and long-term absorption. Use Vintage Brawn™ within 30 minutes after your workout, between meals, or anytime throughout the day to help meet your recommended daily protein intake. 

What is the Purpose of Protein Powder?

First, let’s focus on whey protein, one of the most popular forms of protein. 

This source contains all nine essential amino acids (EAAs) required for protein synthesis. Compared to other types of protein, it’s exceptionally high in BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) and plays a vital role in hypertrophy, energy metabolism, and muscle repair. 

A 2017 review published by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (JISSN) states that fast-digesting proteins that contain high doses of EAAs and leucine are effective at stimulating muscle protein synthesis.

Why Is Protein Powder Important for Athletes?

While it’s possible to obtain enough protein from food, protein powder makes it easier to meet your nutrient requirements. 

Fat loss requires a caloric deficit. The problem is that you may end up losing lean muscle when you start cutting calories.

To combat this, increase your protein intake. Even if you cut back on carbs or fat, you’ll still get enough protein to help maintain lean mass.

Drinking protein shakes also keeps your metabolism elevated while on a diet. According to the British Journal of Nutrition, high-protein diets may help prevent metabolic slowdown and increase satiety. 

Using protein powder after exercise stimulates muscle hypertrophy and may increase muscle protein synthesis for up to three hours. Moreover, it elevates your resting metabolic rate for up to 48 hours post-workout.

Fuel Your Gains with the Best Protein Powder

Vintage Brawn™, our premium protein blend, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, can make it easier to reach your training goals and achieve peak performance. Moreover, it may improve body composition and speed up your metabolism. 

Best of all, it contains no added sugars.

If you’re on a diet, Vintage Brawn^™ can keep you full longer and make it easier to beat those hunger pangs. Plus, you can always use our flavored protein powder instead of sugar in homemade crackers, cookies, frappes, and other treats.