CONFUSIONS REIGNS
Whey protein concentrate, whey hydrolysate, ion-exchange whey
isolate, casein, milk protein isolates, cross-flow
filtrated whey isolate, ultrafiltered whey concentrate,
microfiltered and nanofiltered whey, alpha-lactalbumin,
beta-lactoglobulin, soy protein isolate...
Which one is better? Which one was invented by marketing
guru's and means nothing? Which should you always take?
Which should you stay away from?
Are you confused yet?
The world of proteins and manufacturers hype associated with
its sale is huge and growing.
For instance, I've seen manufacturers promoting their
particular proteins with a Biological Value (BV) of over 100 (
The Biological Value (BV) is a scale of measurement used to determine what percentage of a given nutrient source is utilized by the body.
The theoretical highest BV of any food source is 100%.
The scale is most frequently applied to protein sources, particularly whey protein).
To show you how ridiculous these kinds of claims are
consider that in theory, BV has a maximum value of
100 (BV is an attempt to measure how efficiently protein
is used in your body).
If you knew this you would know it would be impossible
for any protein to have a score greater than 100.
What most manufacturers count on is their customers not
knowing you can't have a BV score greater than 100. So they
tout a figure that's not possible knowing 99.9% of their
potential customers would never realize this.
And, of course, the only reason they do this is to improve
their bottom line. They figure a customer will see their BV
at 159, compare it to another product promoting a 105 BV
(and still wrong because it's over 100), and buy their
product because of this higher figure.
They use trickery to claim, "850% more fat loss than brand
X" or simliar declarations. And guess what? The consumer is
biting. These type of tactics unfortunately work.
But let me ask you, is advertising expensive? Are most of
these companies spending a fortune on advertising to get
you to buy their product? The answer, as you've probably
already surmised, is a resounding yes.
ECONOMICS 101
In the world of mathematics there are rarely any gray areas.
What I'm getting at is this -- For manufacturers to maintain
an adequate margin and make a profit, they have to reduce the
cost of manufacturing their product to as low a level as
possible. It's simple economics.
And in order to meet market demands for a lower priced product
(from competition and consumers) yet maintain their
high-profile advertising budget, something has to give.
Most of the time this 'give' is in the quality of their
product. Let me give you an example.
Due to the way labeling laws are set up right now a
manufacturer could reduce the amount of say, whey hydrolysate
(the second most expensive protein to make) in their product
from 33% to 5%, increase the amount of whey isolate to make
up the difference, and not have to change the label one bit.
Would you know this was happening? Chances are, no. Are they
saving money by doing this? You bet! Will you get different
results taking the version with the cheaper protein? It's possible you might.
WHAT'S THE ANSWER
Therein lies the difficulty. There really is no sure-fire way
to be certain any manufacturer always has in the product what
is on the label. I'd be lying if I said there was. And nobody
is going to send each batch of protein powder they buy to a
lab for analysis.
A recent check of 600 legal supplements by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) found 150 of them contained banned
substances not listed on the label such as steroids, caffeine,
and ephedrine. This is 25% of all products checked!
Although this study mentioned nothing of the ingredients
meeting label claims or not, chances are the products
'contaminated' by other substances didn't.
INDEPENDENT CHECKS SHOW THE WAY
Fortunately, there have been independent checks performed by
several companies in an attempt to find which manufacturers met
label claims and which ones didn't.
The companies consistently meeting or exceeding label claims
were Beverly International, EAS, Met-Rx, Twinlab, The Health and Fitness Channel, and Weider.
This is not to say there weren't more it's just that these
companies seemed to be consistently mentioned.
Using independent checks from companies or agencies with no
underlying product-selling agendas are one of the few ways the
average consumer can decide which supplement manufacturer
to use.
ANOTHER PROBLEM
Most protein powders taste little better than warmed over vomit (sorry about that, didn't mean to gross you out, but it's unfortunately true). Pick up any protein powder you see on the shelf, open it up, grab the scoop inside, and mix it up according to the label. 99 times out of 100 you'll wrinkle your nose in disgust and vow to never kill your taste buds like that ever again. Here's why they all taste bad (and the ones that are marginally palatable undoubtedly have a lot of sugar and/or fat in them - READ THE LABEL!): It's easier to throw in a smorgasbord of different proteins and call yourself the "best protein powder in the world." However, it's much harder to put good proteins together ALONG WITH a great-tasting flavor. This is almost virtually impossible to do... like I said... just go out and try some.
THE ANSWER
Luck... and a lot of cutting edge research. One protein powder we've found that meets the "good proteins" requirement along with winning the "fantastic taste" prize is Hank's Finest Protein. Here's a sampling of what some people have said about it after trying it...
"...I received the two sample packets in the mail, tried them both and was instantly sold. I am a new gastric bypass patient and have to try and consume 90 grams of protein a day. I have tried two different protein powders and had to give them both away because of the horrible after taste. Finding yours was a Godsend. Thank you..."
LUANN THOMPSON
"...I have to tell you, I just tried my first glass of Chocolate Milkshake and it is AWESOME. I get so busy here at work and that is one of my biggest problems. Slow metabolism due to not getting enough food. This will help out so much with my busy schedule. I have a handy-dandy water cooler here at the store and I didn't even have to get the blender out. Just put my two scoops in the glass with cold water. Stirred it up and down it went. I didn't want to leave any in the glass! This is going to make losing the extra weight a breeze. I didn't have to wash up a blender so this will also save me time. I can't wait to try the vanilla when I get home. Thank you so much for this product!... Life is Good!.."
Merrie Daune Price
"...I received two samples of your amazing protein powder. I immediately opened the package they arrived in. And they smelled yummy! :) I couldn't try them the day they arrived, since I had already eaten lunch. I am a gastric by-pass patient, and I have to eat a heavier meal at night time, so I can sleep.
Anyway, I was able to try the protein the following day. I made it with 8oz. oz skim milk and 1/2 cup crushed ice. The first taste was, how can I say this, beyond words. I haven't had a milkshake in over 5 years. And this tasted like one. A real milkshake. Most protein powders taste like wallpaper paste. Or they look like it. They leave a funny aftertaste in your mouth. Or you continually burp that protein for hours.
This is something I will definately buy!
My son came over to see what I was so "giddy" about. I let him try it. He was shocked that I was drinking a milkshake. I told him what it was, and he was stunned. He wouldn't touch a protein shake. But he would steal these from me. He's 16.
Thank you for making something I can actually tolerate! I will definately pass this along to all of my gastric by-pass friends. I will also pass this along to my mother who is diabetic...."
Sincerely, Beckie E.
"...Hank's Finest is the Finest!!!
HANK!!!! YOU DOG!
I really cannot believe how good your shakes are! Both the chocolate and the vanilla!!! I'm a chocolate man myself, and your shake powder with just water is about as good as any glass of chocolate milk I have ever had!
Although I trust just about everything you tell me, I must admit I was a bit skeptical when I read your web page about how good your shake was, and my wife was real skeptical. Everyone says their shake are the best tasting. My wife just had her first shake this morning, and sent me an e-mail with the subject heading "YUM!" The e-mail read, "Hank's Finest really is the Finest."
We love it. Thanks for making drinking protein shakes actually something to look forward to. Now if I could only just have 5 of them a day!!!!
I wish you would come up with some protein bars that were just a tasty. I don't eat any now, but they sure would be a lot easier to take on the road with me when I'm making sales calls.
Congratulations on your winning recipe!!!..."
Regards,
Daniel Whitener
"...I recently received your 2 samples & it is the best tasting protein drink that I have found..."
DOREAN BANCA
"...Hank, As you have stated you do have a wonderful tasting product!!! Thanks for a wonderful tasting sample..."
C.Giangarra
"...I'm using your product and it is better than Herbalife which I had ordered before I had heard of yours. I take theirs one day and yours the next. Yours is better! Thanks..."
Dan
"...Hi Hank, You bet I'll tell everyone about this protein powder. I have my son on it now, he has his dad drinking it, and pretty soon we'll be moving to North Carolina where I know tons of marines will love it. Anything to build those muscles. Thanks ever so much for making this stuff. I have lost tons of weight drinking the shakes and V-8 juice. Eat a few peaches and apples here and there and I look great, and I feel great. I have multiple sclerosis and taking off the extra weight really helps me feel better. Your product is better than Herbalife when used with the V-8 juice and fruit. I will help you outsell them. It is hundreds of dollars cheaper, and lasts a lot longer. Thanks..."
Elaine Campbell
...I did receive the samples of the drink, I found it very delicious. So much more tasty than the Whey Protein drink I have been using. I will be ordering some in the future. Thank you..."
Nancy Palmer
"...I have tried the protein powder. The reason I like it so well is because of the flavoring and its not gritty. It's very smooth tasting and has a really nice flavor. Thank you again..."
April M. Rodriguez
"...I have only tried the chocolate so far, but I would have to say that it tastes like a real milkshake instead of a protein drink!.."
Toni Griffin
"...I tried your samples. Finally! A delicious protein you can mix in water. I knew it had to be possible. I love the vanilla. There is just one problem. It tastes so good it will cost me a fortune. Who can stop at just one? Will you be coming out with bigger bottles with more servings? Anyway, great stuff! Thanks..."
Shane Lance
"...Hi, and thank you for sending me the samples of protein shakes. I tried them just yesterday. They actually were good. I was totally surprised. I've tried a few other health shakes, and they just didn't quite pass my approval, lol. now I know if I need more, I know where to get it from. Thank you again for the samples, and you may be hearing from me soon. Bye for now..."
Karen
"...I appreciate your prompt and courteous response to this unfortunate situation and I have just received notification of my pending refunds. While the supplements did not agree with my stomach, the protein powder did and I would still like to remain a customer of "Hanks finest Protein Shake" as I strongly agree with the claim "it's the best tasting protein shake on the market" and I'm completely satisfied with the product. I have not found a protein shake that I like yet......until now......I just love "Hanks finest Protein Shake"!!!
Thank you again for all your help...."
Tina M. Lopez
"...Wow!!! All other protein powders that I have tried in the last 5 years have boasted incredible taste but have come up short BIG TIME. Most of them I never even finished, I just pawned them off to whoever wanted them for free. Then I was introduced to Hank's Finest Protein. Finally, I found what I was looking for, a high quality protein that I actually look forward to drinking. Nothing else compares to this stuff. Now if someone even asks for a single shake I tell them to go and buy their own, after a taste test of course. I refer this protein to everyone I know and everyone I meet. If I had more than two thumbs they'd be up as well..."
Adam C. Strong
"...Hi Hank! I am very excited to give you a beginner testimonial! I started the program on March 30 weighing in at a whopping 186. At 5 feet tall, this is unacceptable! I am doing this for health purposes and to look better. I had no problems getting my downloads and boy are they worth it! Your program is easy to follow, I am never hungry. Your protien milkshake is the best on the market and worth every penny! This drink tastes like a chocolate shake.Unlike other protien drinks I have had in the past, Hank's doesn't have that gritty nasty taste that I have become accustomed to over the years. Using the supplements and the diet with light workouts, I am proud to say that in just two weeks, I have lost 15 pounds already! I am looking forward to seeing my body transformation in the very soon new future!
You are the best Hank! (and you were right)..."
Rhonda Woodward
"...I loved it I will be ordering some soon I am under weight I do not eat meat and I hate milk I mixed it with milk I loved it Thanks..."
Debbie Foster
2 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO
Relying on the marketing hype so prevalent today will do nothing
to improve your physique. Don't ever use supplement company
advertisements as your sole basis for using their products. Do
the research or stick to the ones I recommended above.
Also, don't shop strictly by price. Buying the cheapest products
will almost always waste your money. Results-producing products
are expensive to manufacture and produce. And as I showed you
earlier the label doesn't always tell the entire story.
There is a choice you have to make. You can either choose
quality in your products or hype. It's economically
impossible for any company to advertise heavily, make
the highest quality products, and also keep prices low.
TURN THIS PROTEIN DOWN
Also, if you're a man don't take soy protein. Although there
are a number of studies and articles promoting its health
benefits, there are a growing number of studies showing just
the opposite.
These studies show a lowered testosterone level and a lowered
thyroid hormone output (which makes it harder for you to lose fat) is on the agenda for you if you take it.
Plus, it has been shown to negatively affect a developing human
fetus. And this is just a partial list.
For now there are too many questions about soy protein and
your best course of action is simply to not take it. If you're
a parent and are feeding your children soy products please stop.
Especially in the case of boys, you may be harming their sexual
organ development. Understand I'm not saying this is going to happen, I'm just reporting to you what I have read in the recent studies I've seen.
Soy is loaded with 'phytoestrogens'. These are plant hormones
that mimic our bodies more potent hormone, estrogen. It has been
shown that moderate intake of soy products raises a man's
estrogen levels and contributes to side effects associated with
its intake.
Also, since women represent some 80% of hypothyroidism (lowered
metabolism due to inadequate output of thyroid hormones) cases,
if you're a woman you should also be careful with your soy
protein intake.
The take-home message is to stick to the companies
mentioned above and follow my recommendations when
choosing any protein product.
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