Whey Protein – Is It The Better Choice For You?

To determine if whey protein is a better choice than Creatine based athletic supplements, it’s good to know the difference between the two and their unqiue effects.  First, what is whey protein and what is Creatine?

Whey protein is a natural byproduct that occurs in the process of making milk into cheese.  Creatine is a nitrogenous acid that occurs in the muscles of most animals, including humans.

Both Creatine and Whey protein are used in the manufacturing of athletic aid supplements.  Some people swear by one or the other, or even a combination of the two, but they are different in several ways.

Creatine provides a boost in energy.  It is a natural metabolic stimulant and generally preferred by athletes before an intense workout.  For many people, one of the less desirable results of Creatine is its excessive water retention.  While some people favor this effect under the reasoning that water aids in the repair of damaged or strained muscle tissue, Creatine only stores water.  It does not utilize it.  As a result, ceasing regular use of Creatine will often mean a decrease in size once your body releases that stored water.  Worse than that, it also means a decrease in initial strength because you have lost that expected Creatine boost.

The effects of whey protein are the direct opposite of Creatine.  Whey protein provides very little direct energy, but it does provide fuel that the body uses to build muscle.  Whey protein is an optimal choice for athletes who wish to gain strength in addition to mass.  When whey protein is ceased after regular intake, the natural results do not decrease as they would when ceasing Creatine.  This a result of the bulk and power achieved through whey protein’s natural muscle fueling attributes.

Now that you have a better idea of how whey protine and Creatine produce their results, you can better decide which will play a better role in your pratices and objectives as an athlete.