What is Whey Isolate? How to choose the right one?
Marie ARNOULT
11 min
Summary
Whey Isolate is one of the most popular dietary supplements in the world of fitness and bodybuilding: but do you really know its benefits and indications?
It's credited with exemplary purity, optimal absorption by the body, tangible effects on muscle recovery, and spectacular results for mass gain. Certainly. But do you know exactly why? 🧐
Good news, Novoma has covered the subject from every angle to explain to you in detail what whey isolate is, and above all, how to choose it well to get all its benefits. 🤸
Whey Isolate: definition and manufacturing process
Whey isolate is distinguished by a different and more advanced manufacturing process than the more economical, but also lower quality, form of whey concentrate.
What is whey isolate?
Whey isolate , or whey isolate , is considered a bit like the Ferrari of whey proteins, used in sports.
It comes from whey, the liquid part of milk that separates during cheesemaking. The process begins in a fairly traditional way, but it's during the filtering process that whey isolate really stands out.
Thanks to finer filtration than that used for whey concentrate, whey isolate presents a purer form of protein, called native whey isolate , as opposed to whey concentrate, which is more raw.
What makes whey isolate interesting?
✅ Its protein content is very high, usually 90% or more protein, while whey concentrate only contains about 70-80%;
✅ It is low in fat and lactose, making it an ideal option for those looking to maximize their protein intake while minimizing added calories and digestive discomfort;
✅ Whey isolate remains less processed compared to whey concentrate, has excellent digestibility and rapid assimilation!
We recommend you
Native Whey Isolate
Formula enriched with digestive enzymes for easier digestion.
- ✅ Undenatured native protein
- ✅ Milk from French pasture cows
- ✅ High protein and BCAA content
- ✅ Compliant with anti-doping standards
The whey isolate filtration process
The particularity of whey isolate is its microfiltration process: this very specific technique uses membranes to eliminate a maximum of fats and lactose, while preserving the proteins.
The purpose of microfiltration is:
👉 To improve the nutritional quality of the finished product;
👉 Make the protein easier for the body to tolerate, especially in people sensitive to dairy products;
👉 Unlike other techniques that can heat and alter proteins, microfiltration preserves the integrity of essential amino acids , these famous molecules that interest us!
The result? Whey isolate comes in the form of a protein powder of exceptional purity, with a clean nutritional profile, virtually fat-free and lactose-free.
An exceptional protein concentration
The undeniable advantage of whey isolate : its very high protein concentration! (which we already mentioned at the beginning of the article).
Each serving of whey isolate can contain up to 90% protein (sometimes even more!), a level far higher than most other protein supplements, whether in powder, bar, or drink form.
This high content is not there to look pretty on the label, let's agree, but to guarantee an optimal intake of amino acids, essential for recovery and muscle building. 💪
With less than 1g of fat per 100g, and almost no trace of lactose, it proves to be the ally of athletes seeking performance and progress. 🏋️
What are the benefits of Whey Isolate on performance and overall well-being?
In terms of its benefits, whey isolate meets all the needs of athletes, without the known discomforts of other forms of protein.
It supports muscle recovery
Whey isolate is often recommended after intense workouts, and for good reason! Thanks to its near-instant absorption rate, it allows muscles to quickly benefit from the amino acids they need to repair themselves and build lean mass.
✅ Unlike other protein sources, which can take several hours to digest, whey isolate works almost immediately , which is especially important after physical activity where the muscles are in a state of fatigue.
As an athlete, we know that post-workout recovery is just as important as the activity itself! Consuming protein quickly after sessions helps reduce muscle soreness and speed up the muscle recovery process , allowing you to return to the gym faster... and stronger!
It helps maintain lean mass
For those looking to maintain, build, or maintain lean muscle mass, whey isolate is a particularly attractive option.
Why? With its low fat and carbohydrate content, it allows you to increase your protein intake without increasing your carbohydrate intake, which is essential for balance and health, but is already provided by your diet!
💡Other protein supplements sometimes contain sugars (including lactose) that are added to food intake. Whey isolate focuses solely on what matters: providing the body with the protein needed to support muscle growth while minimizing fat and carbohydrate intake .
Good to know: lean mass decreases with age, hence the importance of paying attention to your protein intake, especially after the age of 50 , especially if you practice sports! Maintaining lean mass helps maintain musculoskeletal balance in older people.
It allows for improved tolerance
Lactose , the main culprit in digestive problems associated with dairy products, is virtually eliminated during the manufacturing of whey isolate . This makes it a perfect option for people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive, whose digestion time is often longer (or even laborious) .
Unlike whey concentrate, which can still contain significant amounts of lactose, whey isolate is purified to the point where these discomforts are almost non-existent.
Good news for those who have given up dairy: you get the benefits of protein, without the bloating and other common discomforts! 😃
👍This article might interest you: sport and digestion, what is the link?
It is low in calories
Whether you're cutting or just watching your calorie intake, whey isolate is an effective option for getting quality protein without excess calories.
The almost complete absence of fats and carbohydrates reduces the total caloric value, which is all the more interesting for people looking to regulate their weight while maintaining a high protein intake .
But between us, the omega 3 fatty acids in a smoked mackerel fillet on a slice of buttered bread are just as recommended, with or without weight training sessions! 🙌
What are the criteria to check when choosing a whey isolate?
Now that you know more about its characteristics, here are the criteria to check to choose a high-quality whey isolate .
Protein concentration
The first criterion for choosing a quality whey isolate is its protein concentration, in other words, its content per 100g of powder. Look for products with a protein content of 90% or higher to ensure optimal nutrient absorption and to ensure you're getting value for your money!
The higher the percentage of protein, the fewer calories you consume from fat and/or carbohydrates, and the more benefits you get from amino acids ! 👍
Absence of additives
In the case of whey isolate, it is essential to choose formulas without unnecessary additives !
Choose products that don't contain artificial sweeteners, colors, or fillers. The purer the product, the better it is for your body and your performance. You want protein, not a chemical lab recipe!
The amino acid profile
The quality of a whey isolate does not only depend on its protein content.
A good supplement should also display a complete amino acid profile , particularly BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), which are essential for muscle recovery.
✅ BCAAs contain the three amino acids most popular with athletes, especially during periods of mass gain!
Traceability, purity and origin of the product
A whey isolate whose production chain is well controlled means you can be sure of buying a quality product, without any hidden surprises.✌️
As for the origin of the raw materials, we advise you to choose a whey isolate made from quality milk (if possible French) , from farms that respect environmental standards .
This not only guarantees the nutritional quality of the product, but also a more environmentally friendly approach. 🌿
Why choose Novoma Whey Isolate?
You asked for it, we made it! Novoma Whey Isolate , an affordable and high-quality choice for the most demanding athletes? Introducing it!
A native, undenatured protein
Our Native Whey Isolate Powder is obtained through a gentle microfiltration process, allowing the integrity of the proteins to be preserved. This method guarantees better absorption and exceptional purity, with low fat, lactose and carbohydrates.
Milk from cows from French or European pastures
Novoma sources its fresh milk from cows raised on French (or European) pastures , ensuring optimal traceability and strict quality standards. And when it comes to this, we're uncompromising.
This choice of origin guarantees a superior quality protein, from more responsible and sustainable production, aligned with our responsible approach, to be discovered in one click ! 🌿
Enriched with digestive enzymes
For optimal digestion, our Novoma native isolate is enriched with digestive enzymes , namely: amylase, protease, lactase, lipase, cellulase. The aim is to facilitate the assimilation of proteins and nutrients, while enjoying digestion without discomfort.
A real plus for those who have trouble digesting protein powder!
We recommend you
Native Whey Isolate
Formula enriched with digestive enzymes for easier digestion.
- ✅ Undenatured native protein
- ✅ Milk from French pasture cows
- ✅ High protein and BCAA content
- ✅ Compliant with anti-doping standards
High protein and BCAA content
Each 30g serving of Novoma whey isolate provides 25g of protein and approximately 6g of BCAAs , the perfect combo to support muscle growth and accelerate recovery after intense exercise.
Compliance with anti-doping standards
The sensitive subject: the famous AFNOR anti-doping standard (EN 17444), a reassuring criterion for professional or amateur athletes concerned about consuming safe products.
Our whey isolate powder took months to formulate, co-created with Top 14 player Ange Capuozzo! 🏉
Whey isolate is one of the best options for athletes looking to maximize their intake of quality protein. With its rapid absorption and good digestive tolerance, it stands out from other types of protein supplements!
