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NOW Foods Whey Protein provides you with 25 g of protein, less than 1 g of carbohydrates, 0.5 g of fat, and just 110 calories per serving, giving it less carbs and more protein than the protein powder from Quest Nutrition.
Acting as a middle-ground between pure protein supplements and full-stack muscle builders like Six Star Whey, you also get a healthy dose of BCAAs and non-essential amino acids, without the glutamine or creatine.
So how does this compare to other top rated protein powders in terms of value for money and effectiveness?
In this review we’ll compare NOW Foods Whey Protein to Six Star Whey and Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold – two bestselling protein powders with thousands of highly rated reviews to their name. This includes the ingredients, dosage, price, and customer feedback, to guarantee you only buy the best protein for your fitness goals.
We’ve also included recommended supplement stacks that combine NOW Foods protein with creatine, pre-workout, and glutamine supplements to help maximize your results.
NOW Foods Whey Isolate Ingredients
If you need a protein powder with high quality protein and virtually zero carbs and fat, you should choose whey isolate. Fortunately, NOW Foods has one of the most affordable Whey Protein Isolate powders on the market, with 25 g of protein per serving.
For comparison, this is the same amount of protein you get with a scoop of MusclePharm Combat protein, Isopure Whey Protein Isolate, and Cellucor Cor-Performance, and 1 g more than Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey.
The micronutrient (vitamins and minerals) profile is equally impressive, with super low levels of cholesterol (5 mg, 2% DV), and sodium (45 mg, 2% DV), but high levels of calcium (15%) and aminos.
Concentration of branched chain amino acids per serving:
Essential Amino Acids
- L-Histidine 420 mg
- L-Isoleucine 1568 mg
- L-Leucine 2716 mg
- L-Lysine 2716 mg
- L-Methionine 560 mg
- L-Phenylalanine 812 mg
- L-Threonine 1708 mg
- L-Tryptophan 448 mg
- L-Valine 1288 mg
Non-Essential Amino Acids
- L-Alanine 1288 mg
- L-Arginine 588 mg
- L-Aspartic Acid 2716 mg
- L-Cysteine 728 mg
- L-Glutamic Acid 4788 mg
- Glycine 448 mg
- L-Proline 1540 mg
- L-Serine 1036 mg
- L-Tyrosine 756 mg
Microfiltered Whey Protein Isolate
The whey protein isolate chosen by NOW Foods contains lactoglobulin, lacralbumin, immunoglobulins and glycomacro peptides. But what does this mean for muscle growth and recovery?
- Lactoglobulin: The major whey protein of cow and sheep’s milk.
- Lactalbumin: Alpha-lactalbumin is a major whey protein, rich in essential and conditionally essential amino acids.
- Immunoglobulins: Major components of the immune system, binding to bacteria or viruses and aiding in their destruction.
- Glycomacro peptides (GMP): Found in some whey protein, depending on the method of manufacture. Works with immunoglobulins to inhibit the growth of bacteria.
In summary, Immunoglobulins and GMP are associated with the antimicrobial and antiviral benefits of whey, and how it can enhance your immune system. The amino acids found in Lactalbumin are more likely to be associated with muscle growth and recovery.
Soy lecithin is also listed on the ingredient label (less than 1%), which is found in almost all protein powders, and used to improve mixability when the powder is combined with water or milk.
NOW Foods Whey Protein Isolate is available in 3 sizes; 1.2 lbs (19 servings), 5 lbs (81 servings), and 10 lbs (162 servings).
NOW Foods Whey – Product Summary
- 25 g protein, 1 g carbs, 0.5 g fat, 110 calories per serving
- 100% Pure – Mixes Instantly – Microfiltered
- High in Branch Chain Amino Acids
- Natural Unflavored – All Natural – No Aspartame, No Sucralose, No Acesulfame-K
- Manufactured in GMP compliant facilities
When is the best time to take it?
Recommended use
Add 1 level scoop daily to 8 oz. of cold water, milk, or your favorite juice, and blend.
NOW Foods Whey vs. Six Star Whey
NOW Foods Whey vs. O.N. Whey Gold
What flavors and sizes are available?
Sizes
- 1.2 lbs
- 5 lbs
- 10 lbs
Flavors
- Unflavored
Who are NOW Foods?
NOW Foods has specialized in the development of healthy foods and natural supplements since 1968, with a goal of empowering people to lead healthier lives.
Their supplements have been featured in just about every major health publication in the U.S., including Men’s Fitness, Prevention, Health Magazine, and Better Nutrition Magazine. They’ve also experienced global success through the creation of NOW® International in 2000, which extended the reach of their natural health products to more than 70 countries.
As for their current product line, this includes a wide range of bestselling dietary supplements. These are designed to address specific health needs, such as digestive support, joint support, heart health, and cognitive health. Categories include Beauty & Health, Essential Oils, Sports Nutrition, and Natural Foods.
But knowing what’s contained in each supplement isn’t always easy, which is why we created the NOW Foods supplement guide. It’s essentially a summary of the most important health benefits, dosages and main ingredients for each product.
We’ve also added in-depth reviews and comparisons with other top rated nutrition companies, to guarantee you only buy the best supplement for your fitness goals.
Review Overview
Overall Review Rating
4.5 / 5
At the time of writing this review, each 28 g serving of NOW Sports Whey Protein Isolate was priced at $0.70, based on buying a 5 pound tub of the Dutch Chocolate flavor. This was slightly cheaper than Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey ($0.78 per serving).
Both protein powders contain 25 g of protein, but NOW Sports Whey doesn’t include any whey peptides or whey concentrate. This means each serving contains less fat, carbs, and calories.
Organic stevia has also been used in place of the sucralose and acesulfame potassium artificial sweeteners, found in Gold Standard 100% Whey.
Overall, we were impressed by the clean ingredients, low price, high protein, and low calorie formula.
The average review rating on Amazon is equally impressive, with thousands of customers leaving 4 or 5 star reviews. Most praise the high quality, clean taste, affordable price, and how quickly the powder dissolves in water or milk. The unflavored protein powder also has added versatility, in that it can be used in cooking recipes without impacting the taste of the end result.
If you want to save more money, 10 pound bags of NOW Whey Protein Isolate are available, which typically retail for around $110 each on Amazon ($0.67 per serving).
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