The Best Protein
What is the best protein powder? Boy if I had a buck for every time I've been asked this, I'd be a rich man. I really can't blame you guys and girls being confused with all the different powders out there. Let me tell you about few of the tricks of the trade. The American companies have a lot more latitude when it comes to promoting their protein powders. In the US you are allowed to trademark protein blends. For example if you read a label of an American protein powder you might see things like Myopro, Metamyosin, Synthepro, etc etc. Now these all sound very impressive but all they are is registered names for protein blends. Below is the first ingredients listed on a package of a popular US protein:
MyoPro (unique blend of whey protein concentrate from specially filtered and ion-exchanged whey protein, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate, taurine, L-glutamine, sodium caseinate, egg albumin, and calcium alpha-ketoglutarate [AKG])
Let me clue you into a little supplement manufacturer's secret. There ain't no such thing as MyoPro, or Metamyosyn, or any other such mystical protein blend. Why do they do this? Because if you took out the word Myopro you would be left with "ion-exchanged whey protein, calcium caseinate, milk protein isolate", which doesn't sound very scientific.
Australia has different laws compared to the US. First of all in Australia you cannot trademark a protein blend, and you can't make claims such as "enhances mass and strength" and "98% better protein". If you make claims like that here you would have to prove that to the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Association). In America you can make these claims if you put a disclaimer on the tin (which all US products have) that says "These statement have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration". What this disclaimer really means is that "These statements are might be BS and are not proven and as long as we have a disclaimer on the tin we can say anything we want to make this product sound really, really good". That's why Australian products tend to sound boring when all it says is Whey Protein Isolate.
It might sound like the TGA is being very harsh to Australian companies but at the same time they are protecting you from some really B.S. claims that they could make.
Recently at The Filex Expo in Sydney a leading US company offered $10,000 to anyone who could prove that any other protein was better than theirs. What a crock! Their money is safe, as no one could prove that. What I'd want them to prove to me is that their powder is the best, but they would not be able to do that either. That's like saying that Steggles chickens are better than Ingham's chooks. In the end they are both chicken.
So, what does this all mean? You still don't know which is the best? Look, they are all good. That's why there are so many brands. Think about it, if there was one particular powder that built more muscle than any other, it would take 2 hours before the whole bodybuilding world new about it. Talk to ten different weight trainers, they all use a different powders and claim theirs is the best! What does that tell you? They are all good.
I personally use a different powder every time I run out just to vary the taste. The things that I look for in a good powder are; it must be able to mix in a hand shaker, in water, and taste reasonable, and be at least 70% protein. That's it! Protein powder is food, just like chicken, meat, fish or eggs. If you wanna grow, you gotta eat!

Protein powders basically come in three different types regardless of the fancy processing names associated with them. These are Whey, Egg and Soy. Let's break each one down into its separate types for clarity in understanding.
Whey
Whey protein comes in three, distinctly different types, of which some are better than others, depending on different factors. One of great importance is absorption, followed by the price.
Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate (HWPI)
In the whey protein family, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein is the most readily digestible. While having the highest efficacy of all the whey proteins it is also the most expensive. HWPI is partially utilized to aid in the human digestive process, which makes it very soluble. The problem with HPWI is that it has an extremely bitter taste that is impossible to overcome with sweeteners or flavorings, which prevent it from possibly ever becoming a primary ingredient in this class of protein supplementation. HPWI still can be found in some supplements but as one of the lesser ingredients.
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI)
Whey Protein Isolate is a whole other story. WPI has a good taste and is also extremely digestible. WPI is almost entirely void of fat and is lactose free. The latter is of great importance to individuals with lactose intolerance. The process of cross-flow microfiltration helped to revolutionize this type of protein. This is the phase in processing which follows the "concentration" phase to "isolate" the whey protein.
Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)
Whey Protein concentrates have a variety of different problems associated with them. Symptoms from users of WPC included bloating, gas and in some cases diarrhea. There is a very large variance in the protein content itself. Actual protein content can vary widely from twenty-five (25) to eighty (80) percent that is a direct result of the dependence on the quality and cost.
If you were to compare WPI to WPC you will find that WPC has higher concentrations of fat, carbohydrate and lactose. The absorption is also reduced due to the lower assimilation in the stomach and intestines.
Egg
This is an old friend to most of us who have been around a long time. Many years ago, a man by the name of Blair formulated a protein powder that is still has variations used today. Egg protein is extracted from pure egg whites and has one of the highest P.E.R. (Protein Efficiency Ratio) at 3.9.
This is an important point because the higher the P.E.R. the better the body utilizes the protein. Egg protein has the longest history of use among weightlifters and bodybuilders due to its high ratio of absorption and its time-proven results; not to mention that for many years it was the only type of protein powder other than milk.
Like the Whey and Soy Proteins, Egg Protein offers the full spectrum of amino acids in an efficient form that is readily used by the body while being fat and cholesterol free. As far as protein powders are concerned, it is not very soluble and used to require a blender. Today with the advancement of emulsifiers, it can be mixed with a spoon. The cost of Egg Protein is usually in the same range as WPI.
Soy
Lastly, Soy Protein is extracted from the soybean. New processing techniques which use a slightly alkaline pH, followed by precipitation, washing and drying phases yields what is called "Soy Protein Isolate". This process retains about ninety (90) percent of the protein. Soy Protein is an abundant, economical protein source. Soy products offer numerous additional health benefits, from lowering the risk of cancer, osteoporosis and other chronic diseases to easing the symptoms of menopause. This type of protein is especially good for women who are looking to balance hormone levels. Soy protein isolates are a highly digestible source of amino acids: the protein building blocks essential for human health. Soy protein is low in fat, calories and cholesterol. The cost is usually somewhere between the Whey Protein Isolate and Egg Protein.
I hope this brief overview offers a better, general understanding of the different major protein types used in protein powder supplementation today. One thing to be aware of is that if a company does not state what type of protein is used on the label it is best to assume that it is the cheapest and the primary protein source is most likely Whey Protein Concentrate. All of these protein powders are used in various combinations so be sure to check the order of the ingredients listed on the label so you know exactly what you are purchasing for your hard earned dollar. It should also be noted that WPI users do not experience the usual side effects such as bloating, gas and in some cases diarrhea that are commonly associated with the use of Whey Protein Concentrate in some individuals. My suggestion to all my clients is to find a protein powder with a taste and price you can live with, but try to stay clear of products that contain a large amount of Whey Protein Concentrate. Most stores will usually have samples that you can try so be sure to ask before you purchase. This will give you an opportunity to taste and see how the product mixes and keep you from ending up with a couple of pounds of protein powder that you have to suffer through until it is gone. Believe me, it is worth it to ask for that sample.

Protein powder used by athletes is spiked with steroids
I saw this on an Indian newspapers web site. I'm sure a lot of people would want to get their hands on Indian creatine.
18.24 IST 25th June 2001
Creatine, a protein powder widely used by Indian athletes, has been found spurious as it is spiked with anabolic steroids that could end their sports career if they test positive.
Creatine powder, normally used as a food supplement , could prove dangerous as cheap anabolic steroids like testosterone and nendrolone are mixed with it, doctors at the recently concluded tenth International Congress on Diffusion of Medicine at Madrid said.
Dr. Jawahar Jain, Secretary General SAF games medical commission, who attended the Congress said ''some samples of creatine powder have been found contaminated with steroids. Athletes should get these supplements tested before using them''.
Dr. Jain said herbal tonics could be used to enhance performance instead of the ''contaminated food supplements''.

Bodybuilders In The Media
Last week on Adelaide radio, Ms Australia Teri Roberts was interviewed by Phillip Satchwell on ABC radio. Teri was interviewed for an hour and provided the listener with an informative insight into the life of a world champion bodybuilder. Teri presented herself (and bodybuilding) with grace and dignity a lot of her fellow competitors could (should) learn from.

Think About It
A few years ago I went to a Lee Haney Seminar. At the time Lee was a 5 time Mr Olympia, and went on to win the title a record 8 times. I told him about my training which at the time consisted of 6 times a week at two hours a session. I asked him for one single piece of information that he would suggest that would help me in my training. He looked at me with an incredulous expression and said "Jesus! Train less!" and than went onto the next question. That single response has been the best advise anyone has given me.

FREE BODYFAT TEST

SUBSCRIBER COMPETITION

This month's winner will receive 1 kg of Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey and an Aussie Muscle hat.

Last month's winner of 1 kg of Balance Creatine Monohydrate and an Aussie Muscle hat was Karim Chemlal.

It's here! Our Secure Online Store. Now you can buy all your supplements and accessories at the click of a button! No need to make the trip to the store to refresh your supplement stock. Do it here. Secure connection!  Click here to visit our brand new store!

PROTEIN COUNTER
People are asking me all the time for the protein content of foods. Below you can find a list of some popular foods with their protein value.
Food Serving/ Grams of Protein
1 egg white of 1 egg 3.5
1 egg 1 large 6
scrambled egg whites 100g 9
lean ground beef, cooked 100g 25
chicken breast without skin 100g 30
broiled top round beef 100g 30
salmon 100g 27
cheddar cheese 100g 23
low-fat yogurt 1 cup 10
skim milk 1 cup 8
tuna 100g 29
baked beans 1 cup 14
lentils 1 cup 18
pasta 1 cup 5
bread 2 slices 6
tofu 1/2 cup 10
cottage cheese 1/2 cup 14
turkey breast 100g 23

AUGUST SPECIALS

Optimum 100% Whey
5lbs $95:00

Thermo-Cuts

100 caps $64:95
200 caps $114:95

MRM Meta-Burn EF

120 caps $89:95

Balance Creatine
500g $39:95
1kg $65:00

Balance L-Glutamine
500g $65:00

Gen-Tec Macro Whey
1.25kg $57:95
3kg $99:00
Choc/Van/Straw

Musashi Kuan-The Creative
300g $79:95

Tribulus 250
90 Caps $38:00

Max's Pancake Mix

$4:95ea or $54:00/Box 12

WHAT'S NEW?

 WHAT'S THE GOSS?

Denmark's Juliette Bergmann, one of the greatest female physique artists of all time, says she will compete in the 2001 Ms. Olympia after being granted a special invitation by the IFBB. The incomparable Bergmann, 43, still retains the remarkable shape and symmetry that were here trademarks back in the '80s when she won the lightweight title at the '85 World Amateur Championships and took sixth at the '86 Ms. Olympia. She last competed at the '89 World Professional Championships, where she finished 15th. Even more compelling is that Juliette has served as an IFBB judge on the pro circuit during the last few years, making her comeback a truly gutsy move.

Juliette performing in Circus Wonder

What does she do today: She runs her own Gym in Middelharnis and is one of the owners of a publishing company where we make books and two magazines, a British classic car magazine and a powersport magazine called Fysiek for the Royal Dutch Powersports & Fitness Federation. Besides working in a circus (Circus Wonder) where she only performs with women from different sports, she is also secretary of the NBBF (Dutch Bodybuilding & Fitness federation) and national coach for the women bodybuilders and fitness competitors and IFBB Pro-Judge.

In her prime in the late '80's

Ken `Flex` Wheeler is ready for the BIG ONE! After many rumors that went through the BB world and after a minor back injury in June, Flex now is training hard for this years Olympia.

Recently while surfing the net I came along an interesting "dilemma" regarding NABBA. It seems at the moment there are two different organisations, both claiming they are NABBA. They have both even organised the NABBA Universe on the same day, Oct 6th, with one show in France and one in England. Both organisations claim each is the true NABBA and both are apparently threatening legal action against the other. Both sites have the same NABBA logo. Will the real NABBA please stand up so that the competitors get a fair go.

Speaking of splits in bodybuilding. It seems that the Natural federation ANBB has also had a split. Some competitions go under the ANBB banner and others under ANB. Both again are abusing each other. If you are a natural athlete, stick with The INBA, they are in for the long haul. With all this petty bickering going on, the main loser is bound to be the competitor....again!

The recent NPC USA crowned two new IFBB pros, Fred bigot (L), and Quincy Roberts

 N.B. All Prices are in  AUD.

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