Types of Protein Supplements & What Weight Loss Patients Should Be Consuming
There are many different sources of protein supplements. Here is a look at the different sources, and which ones are available at Aloha Surgery.
Types of protein supplements:
1. Soy: plant derived, heat stable, good protein source for vegetarians, contains many bioactive compounds, less protein availability.
2. Whey: milk derived, well absorbed, antioxidant properties
- Concentrate: contains lactose, possibly allergenic, contains many bioacitve compounds
- Isolate: concentrate that has been purified, more easily digested and higher protein amount than concentrate, more expensive, low allergy potential
- Hydrosylate: small peptides that absorb quickly, more expensive, low allergy potential, tastes bad
3. Casein: milk derived
- Intact (caseinate or micellar): digest slowly, cheaper, mixes well, less protein availability
4. Wheat gluten hydrosylate: “glutamine peptides”: often used in a mix of other proteins
5. Collagen: inexpensive, should be used in conjunction with other protein supplements due to missing an essential amino acid
Definitions:
- Concentrate: isolated product
- Isolate: purified concentrate
- Hydrosylate: predigested, enzyme treated
One way we measure protein quality is using the Protein Digestability Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). Adopted by the United States Food & Drug Administration in 1993, this is the preferred test to measure protein quality. The test reports on levels of digestability and essential amino acid content. A PDCAAS level of 1 is considered the highest, and 0 is the lowest. Soy protein scores a 1.00, while peanuts score 0.52 on the scale.
Pearls:
- A protein supplement is recommended for post bariatric surgery patients.
- Use whole unprocessed foods for protein sources as one’s diet tolerates.
- Not all protein supplements are equal in quality.
- Most protein supplement labels are often inaccurate due to alterations in protein availability by processing, additives and chemical modifications.