Whey Protein vs Casein Protein – Which is Better for Maximum Gains?
You probably already know that protein powders are a great way to supercharge your muscle building progress – but did you know that not all protein powders are created equal?
And even between whey and casein, two of the most popular ones, there are still a couple of important things to consider before you make the purchase if you want to maximize your results.
So, what’s the deal? In the whey protein vs casein protein debate, which side should you pick?
This is exactly what I’ll be answering in today’s post so you can get the protein powder that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
Contents
Whey Protein vs Casein Protein: Understanding the Differences
What is Whey Protein?
Whey protein, just like casein, is a byproduct of milk production.
Ever heard of the phrase “curds and whey”?
Well, the curds are the casein and the whey, as you’ve probably already guessed, is what’s used to make the whey protein powder you see in stores.
The latter is a form of fast-digesting protein. This means your body is able to absorb it rapidly, making it a perfect addition to your pre-workout and post-workout meals.
It’s one of the best selling muscle building supplements today, rivaled only by creatine.
If you wish to know whether whey is better than creatine, be sure to go over the full comparison I made once you’re done with this post.
What is Casein Protein?
You already know where casein protein comes from, so let’s jump straight ahead to what it is used for.
Unlike whey, casein protein is much slower – digesting, making it perfect for maintaining a positive net protein balance – promoting better muscle repair and preventing muscle loss – hours after consumption.
Ever wondered what the best casein powder is? Check out this guide I made.
Whey Protein or Casein Protein? Learn the Pros and Cons of Each!
Now that you know what whey and casein protein are, let’s take a look at their pros and cons so you can get to know them a little better.
Pros of Whey Protein
- It has all the amino acids you need to make gains
- It’s easily absorbed by the body
- It boosts your immunity, thanks to the amino acid cysteine it contains
- Has more of the muscle building amino acid leucine
- It prevents muscle breakdown during intense physical activity
Cons of Whey Protein
- It can cause problems in people with intolerance
- It can cause insulin spikes
- It usually comes in super sugary forms that can cause fat gain
- Overconsumption can put extra strain on your liver and kidneys
- It doesn’t keep your protein levels up for as long as casein does
Pros of Casein Protein
- It keeps your body’s protein levels higher for much longer than whey does
- It also has all the amino acids your body needs to build muscle
- Just like whey, it also boosts your immunity
- It helps promote fat loss
- It’s better than whey at preserving muscle
Cons of Casein Protein
- A lot of people have casein sensitivity
- It’s not as fast-acting as whey, so it’s not good as a pre-workout or post-workout supplement
- Just like whey, it also commonly comes in super sugary forms
- It’s in a lot of milk products you probably already consume, so adding more in powder form may be too much
- It doesn’t have as much of the muscle building amino acid leucine as whey does
Whey Protein vs Casein Protein: Which is Better for Weight Gain?
This is what you came here for, right?
You want to gain weight, but you want most of it to come from lean muscle.
Well, based on what you’ve seen so far, you probably already guessed that in terms of straight up muscle building, whey protein is the clear winner. It just has more of the amino acids your body needs to pack on lean mass.
But don’t count casein protein out just yet!
The thing with muscle building is that it’s not just about how much muscle you can build, but how much of it you can keep.
And this is where casein shines.
What it lacks in promoting muscle protein synthesis it makes up for in its superior ability to preserve lean muscle – even if you spend hours without eating!
Couple this with its fat torching effects and you begin to see just how important casein is to the whole process of getting bigger.
Which One Should You Take? Whey Protein or Casein Protein?
Are you more confused now than before you started reading this article?
Don’t worry.
We’re getting close to the final verdict.
But first, let’s go over the facts once again.
Whey protein is fast-digesting and is designed to help your body build more lean muscle mass. Casein protein, on the other hand, is digested much more slowly and is more targeted at preserving muscle.
So, does this mean you need to go with whey if you want to get bigger faster and pick casein if you’re trying to lose weight without losing all your hard-earned gains?
That’s one way of looking at it—but you can also just choose both.
Think about it.
Both muscle building and muscle preservation are crucial to making long-term gains because, again, what’s the point of getting bigger if you can’t keep your new muscle anyway? So, why limit yourself to just whey or just casein?
But doesn’t this mean you’ll have to spend more money on supplements?
Not necessarily!
You see, most commercially available whey protein powders come with casein as well, so you can essentially get both protein types for the price of one. Just be sure to stay away from products marked as “whey protein isolate” since they typically have very little, if at all, casein left.
Don’t know which protein powder brands are the best? Be sure to check out this guide I made.
The Verdict
So, at the end of the day, in the whey protein vs casein protein debate, you don’t really have to pick a side.
You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck if you chose both.
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