Whey Protein, The New Global Standard

Question: Should I take whey protein before I train, will it help?
Answer: Yes & Yes. Taking just 20grams of whey protein before exercise has recently been scientifically proven to significantly improve the effects of training leading to increased energy expenditure and increased fat burning. (reference 1).

Question: Why is whey protein especially good for athletes and bodybuilders?
Answer: Whey protein has long been considered the gold standard of protein for serious athletes who work hard to develop and sustain a lean, strong and well-defined physique. Whey protein contains all the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. These amino acids help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance and since it’s easy to digest, it’s quick to provide nourishment to muscles.
You can obviously get protein from other sources such as fish, eggs and meat, but since whey protein is such an excellent, highly convenient, source of amino acids and is easily digestible, it has become massively popular with athletes and body builders.

Question: What is Muscle DriveTM ?
Answer: Muscle DriveTM is an exclusive peptide complex found only in Reflex products. First launched in Instant Whey it contains peptide bended glutamine and hyrdolysed whey to provide extra glutamine and highly bio available whey peptides. This exclusive technology comes at no extra cost and is also found in an increasing number of products from Reflex Nutrition.

Question: Is whey protein easy on the stomach?
Answer: It is easily absorbed by the body becuase it is highly soluble. Reflex Instant Whey & Micro Whey contain added digestive enzymes and pro-biotics for a superior product.

Question: What is the pH of whey?
Answer: It has a pH of approximately 6.5.

Question: Can I take whey if I'm lactose intolerant?
Answer: Yes and no. You should avoid products that contain concentrate. These will typically contain anywhere from 5-15% lactose. The good news is that you can benefit from taking products that contain pure isolate, which usually only contain a maximum of 0.5-1% lactose. Reflex Nutrition make a product called Micro Whey which only contains pure isolate.

Question: Can I take it if I'm a vegetarian?
Answer: Yes. It is a very good source of essential amino acids and branch chain amino acids - some vegetables lack these vital amino acids; it can help address any shortfall in your diet.

Question: Are supplements made by Reflex Nutrition free from banned EU hormones and pesticides?
Answer: Yes. All protein supplied by Reflex Nutrition is made in the EU in accordance with IS09001 procedures.

Question: Is it safe for drug tested athletes?
Answer: Protein products made by Reflex Nutrition will not cause a positive test for banned drugs. Reflex Nutrition manufacture Instant Whey, Micro Whey and Natural Whey in a purpose built factory all in accordance with IS09001 procedures. It is unlikely that you find a better made product, this is illustrated by the fact that Reflex Nutrition have supplied products to Olympic athletes competing in Sydney 2000 & Athens 2004 Olympic games. We also randomly drug test batches of Reflex supplements in accordance with ISO17025 procedures.

Question: Does Reflex Nutrition make a "natural" whey product that does not contain artificial sweeteners?
Answer: Yes. Reflex Nutrition makes a product called Natural Whey which is free from artificial flavours, colours and sweeteners.

Question: What are the protein fractions I see listed in your ingredients?
Answer: Fractions are the different types of proteins that make whey as a whole. A typical high quality product will be made up of the following fractions.

Beta-Lactoglobulin – (approximate percentage 43%)
The largest single protein found in whey which is largely responsible for the very high percentage of BCAAs.

Alpha-Lactalbumin – (approximate percentage 15%)
This is actually the most abundant type of protein found in human milk. It plays a vital role in the absorption of calcium via its ability to bind to various forms of calcium; it is also high in BCAAs and essential amino acids.

Glycomacropeptide – (approximate percentage 18%)
Research has shown that Glycomacropeptide stimulates synthesis and release of the hormone cholecystokinin in the duodenum. CCK triggers the release of pancreatic enzymes and bile. These are critical for the complete digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and therefore full nutritional realisation of food.

Immunoglobulin – (approximate percentage 5%)
Bovine Immunoglobulins have been shown to have potential for utilisation in the immunological supplementation of foods including infant formulae. Research has shown that bovine IGG can act against Salmonella and EColi.

Bovine Serum Albumin – (approximate percentage 3%)
Is a very good source of all 9 essential amino acids. Research has shown that BSA helps infection fighting white T cells, it also has fat binding properties.

Lactoferrin – (approximate percentage 1%)
Binds to iron in the small intestine promoting absorption of iron by the human body whilst also inhibiting the growth of bacteria like Ecoli and Salmonella.

Lactoperoxidase – (approximate percentage 0.5%)
Works in similar whey to Lactoferrin.

Lysozyme – (approximate percentage 0.1%)
Linked with immune function.

Question: Are there any side effects from taking whey protein? Or could I expect any allergic reactions when taking whey products?
Answer: In 99% of people none at all. The only possible side effects would come if you are allergic to milk sugar or lactose. In which case you'd need to take a pure whey isolate which is virtually free from lactose. In very rare circumstances some people can be allergic to some of the protein fractions found in whey, like Beta-Lactoglobulin, however such cases are very isolated and are usually associated with infants. This is one of the reasons why there are hyrdolysed protein products - the process of hydrolysation breaks the potentially allergic fractions down into hypoallergenic peptides.

References:
1. Timing Protein Intake Increases Energy Expenditure 24 h after Resistance Training, HACKNEY, KYLE J.; BRUENGER, ADAM J.; LEMMER, JEFFREY T.