Ultimate Protein plays a number of significant health enhancing roles in the body, some of which include (but are not limited to):
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Building repairing and replacing body cells
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Building and repairing muscle, skin and bones
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Transporting various molecules around the body
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Transmitting messages from brain cells to muscle cells
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Protecting the body through immunity
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Providing a backup source of energy
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Regulating many important metabolic processes
There are four (4) major and six (6) minor protein fractions found within whey. The major ones or the ones found in the highest quantities are: beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, serum albumin, and immunoglobulins. All of these protein fractions offer health benefits to the body-with alphalactalbumin leading the way. Following is a brief description of the most important aspects of a high-quality whey protein.
Beta-lactoglobulin
Beta-lactoglobulin is the most abundant protein fraction found in whey protein and provides numerous health benefits. Beta-lactoglobulin has the ability to: increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (by binding to them); prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue; and spare glycogen during exercise due to its high BCAA levels.
Branched chain amino acids or BCAA's as they are commonly referred to. The BCAA's are essential (must be obtained from the body) amino acids used directly by the muscle tissue-especially during exercise-to produce energy, making them very important for athletes and those interested in building muscle mass and strength. Low levels of BCAA's cause fatigue and are very important to post exercise recovery.
Alpha-lactalbumin
Alpha-lactalbumin comprises over 30% of the protein fraction found in human breast milk making it the most important protein fraction to a newborn child. Alpha-lactalbumin has the highest BV of any protein fraction and also has a protein efficiency ratio or PER of 4.0, compared to 3.6 for whey and 2.9 for casein. PER is another standard for measuring protein quality-4.0 being the highest measurement possible.
Alpha-lactalbumin is the fastest and most absorbable of any protein source. In research, it has been found to have a digestibility even higher than that of human milk. Studies on alpha-lactalbumin indicate that it is one of the most (if not the most) effective forms of nutrition required for overall growth and development.
Alpha-lactalbumin also contains nature's highest levels of the essential and often missing amino acid, tryptophan. Tryptophan is essential to the manufacture of one of our most important brain chemicals called serotonin. Benefits include appetite control, sleep regulation and mood improvement - especially under stress.
Alpha-lactalbumin is also one of nature's richest sources of the amino acid cystine-the direct precursor to glutathione-one of the body's most powerful immune modulators and antioxidants.
As you can imagine, proteins that contain the highest levels of un-denatured (un damaged) alpha-lactalbumin are often considered the highest quality whey protein isolates available today.
GMP's
Glycomacropeptides (GMP's) are low-molecular-weight protein peptides that have the ability to stimulate cholecystokinin (CCK)-a hormone that can control our hunger responses. Aside from stimulating the release of enzymes from the pancreas and increasing gall bladder function, CCK can also regulate our food intake by sending satiation (fullness) signals to the brain, making it a potential diet aid. In animal studies, a rise in CCK is always followed by a large reduction in food intake. In human studies, whey protein GMP's are shown to increase CCK production by 415% within 20 minutes after ingestion.
Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is a very small protein that has the ability to bind to iron very strongly. Since free flowing iron is essential for microbial growth and the production of excess free radicals, lactoferrin is a strong antimicrobial and free radical scavenging agent. It also has the ability to inhibit the attachment of bacteria to the gut wall, thereby reducing the chance for infection. On top of these amazing attributes, studies with lactoferrin show strong anti-viral activity.
Lactoperoxidase
Lactoperoxidase also exerts strong antimicrobial activity, but in a completely different way from that of lactoferrin. By stimulating a series of enzymatic reactions, lactoperoxidase is able to destroy a wide range of microorganisms. Lactoperoxidase is also effective against many viruses.
Look for all of these microfractions or components in your choice of high quality protein supplement.
Experts agree that Ultimate Protein is the best form of whey protein available today. The reason for this is due to the unique and proprietary manufacturing process that obtains the greatest values of undentaured protein fractions including the highest levels of alphalactalbumin and GMP available in any protein isolate.
The unique profile of protein fractions found in Ultimate Protein, are obtained through our cold-processed or low temperature Ultra Filtration Process that does not use any direct heat in the drying process. This cold-processing ultra filtration process allows for a full balance of bioactive protein isolates that are undentaured and contain all the beneficial whey protein fractions important from both immunological and digestive standpoints including; lactoperoxidase, immunoglobulin, lactoferrin, and the highest levels of glycomacropeptides (GMP's).
Ultimate Protein is also excellent for bone maintenance due to its balanced source of electrolytes-calcium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium.
NOTE: Whey manufacturing processing that uses excessive heat can damage the delicate protein fractions by irreversibly unfolding of the protein molecules, which drastically reduces their biological activity.
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