Most of us have heard of whey and casein protein powders, but recently, beef protein powder has been a hot topic. What’s all the fuss about? How does beef protein powder compare to whey protein powder? And finally, how can you choose the best beef protein powder, should you decide to try it? I’ll address these concerns below.
Why Beef Protein?
Beef protein has a relatively high biological value. This means that our body is able to use a lot of the amino acids it contains. And beef protein does contain numerous amino acids, including:
- Arginine
- Glycine
- Alanine
- Glutamic Acid
- Proline
- Leucine
- Valine
- Isoleucine (source)
Many beef protein powder supplements contain little to no sugars or saturated fats, whereas many whey protein powder supplements do. (source) This allows beef protein to be absorbed easily.
The great thing about beef protein powder is that it allows you to enjoy the benefits of beef, without the potentially negative aspects of red meat (high saturated fat, carcinogens etc.). It is also very convenient—all you have to do is mix it in your shaker or add it to oatmeal. They come in delicious flavors, too!
- Pure beef protein isolate
- 25 grams protein
- Zero fat sugar lactose gluten and cholesterol
- Delicious, Rich Vanilla Flavor with23g Grass-Fed Beef Per Scoop
- Infused withProbiotics For Max Protein
- Uptake & L-Glutamine For Lean Muscle
- 390% more concentrated than steck
- No collagen or gelatin
- Delicious Vanilla Caramel flavour
- World's first and #1 selling beef protein
- 23g of muscle building USDA approved beef protein, without the unwanted fat or cholesterol
- Easier on the stomach - lactose, sugar, dairy and gluten free
- 100% Pure Beef Gelatin, Pasture-Raised, Grass-Fed, Non-GMO, Kosher; Will gel in cold liquids
- Promotes youthful skin, healthier hair, and stronger nails
- Helps keeps bones healthy and strong; supports joint health
Who Needs Beef Protein Powder Supplements?
It’s no surprise that body builders, athletes and those recovering from intense exercise would benefit from beef protein powder. This is because a large amount of protein is required to build muscle and maintain high energy. The best time to use these supplements is after a workout, as it will provide your body with the fuel it needs to heal and grow. (source)
Elderly individuals who are trying to prevent degenerative diseases and people suffering from eating disorders could also use beef protein powder as an extra boost of nutrition. (source)
In short, anyone who would benefit from a whey protein powder can also benefit from a beef protein powder.
Besides those individuals, though, people who are lactose intolerant can benefit from beef protein powder supplement since it does not come from a milk source (like whey or casein powders do).
What Beef Protein Powder Supplements Do
Beef protein powder pretty much does what any other protein powder does. That is, it provides your body with necessary nutrients (amino acids) to build muscle tissue quicker than usual. (source) This rapid intake of amino acids is also used to create energy, prevent muscle breakdown and repair muscle tissue. (source)
Since protein is also used to manufacture hormones, immune system components and cellular messengers, beef protein powder supplements also enhance these processes. (source)
How To Choose The Right Beef Protein Powder Supplement
So, how can you choose the best beef protein powder supplement? Well, when taking any type of supplement, you should always consult your doctor and read the labels.
The label will provide you with important information, such as the dosage, ingredients and potential side effects. (source)
When it comes to beef protein powder supplement, you want to make sure there are no unnecessary ingredients or those which may give you an unwanted result. For example, if you have diabetes or are looking to lose weight, avoid supplements with sugar. (source) If you are looking to lose weight, you should also avoid supplements with sweeteners made from starch.
Many beef powder protein supplements contain creatine (which helps to promote energy production and improve strength), so getting a supplement with this ingredient is recommended for athletes especially. (source)
Of course, if you have an allergy (such as a gluten allergy), you’ll want to choose a supplement which clearly states it is safe for you.
Another thing you should look for in a beef protein powder supplement is if it contains beef isolate peptides or hydrolyzed beef protein. These are pre-digested forms of protein, which may be absorbed faster by our bodies. (source)
Although beef protein powder supplements are an excellent source of additional protein, they should not be your only source of protein. You should still consume whole foods which contain protein, such as chicken, cheese and nuts. Use beef protein powder supplements as they are meant to be used—as a supplement.
It is important to note that taking the supplement or consuming foods with protein alone will not help you to build muscle—it takes exercise and strength training, too. (source)
There are also serious consequences of taking more protein than you need. (source) To be on the safe side, remember that the maximum recommended intake is 1.1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. (source)
If you have a kidney disease, you’ll want to be especially careful with protein supplements. It is best to opt for a supplement with a lower range protein content or limit your intake. (source)
Our Top Picks For Beef Protein Powder Supplement
Keeping all of this in mind, I will review five popular beef protein powder supplements.
MHP
Maximum Human Performance IsoPrime 100% Beef Isolate Powder This supplement, by Maximum Human Performance, contains 784 g (1.73 pounds) of beef protein powder. There are 28 servings per container and each serving provides 25 grams of protein. The only area where this supplement falls short is in its flavor. The flavor is a mixture of natural and artificial ingredients. Users also complain that it is too sweet. Other than that, there are no fillers, so you can rest assured that you are getting as much protein as possible. This company has high standards for quality, too, which gives me peace of mind. I like that it is non-GMO, gluten-free and comes from USDA–inspected beef.
Julian Bakery
Julian Bakery Paleo Protein Julian Bakery’s Paleo Protein Grass-Fed Beef Protein Powder comes in a bag containing two pounds (907 grams) of protein powder. There are 30 servings per bag and each serving (30 grams) delivers 25 grams of protein. It is available in both chocolate and vanilla flavors—made from natural ingredients. This is one of the purest beef protein powders out there. It contains a natural sweetener (organic stevia leaf extract), is free of GMOs and is sources from grass-fed cows. In addition, it is tested for hormones and antibiotics and made in a gluten-free facility. The formula also contains probiotics for maximum protein uptake, L-Glutamine for lean muscle and high levels of leucine (an activator of muscle protein synthesis). All of these factors make this beef protein powder a high quality product. The only complaints from users is that it may be too sweet and doesn’t mix perfectly (it leaves chunks). However, the taste issue can be fixed by using more ice in your shakes or using plain yogurt. As for the mixing problem, it does seem to mix better in a blender, rather than a shaker. The price is reasonable (not too expensive, but not super cheap either) and definitely worth it for the quality.
MuscleTech
MuscleTech Platinum 100% Beef Protein MuscleTech offers a container consisting of 4.11 pounds of 100% hydrolyzed beef protein powder. Each container has approximately 58 servings, which is amazing for the low price! There is also a high amount of protein (24 grams) per 32-gram serving. The good thing about this beef protein powder is that it contains creatine (which, as mentioned previously, helps to increase strength). Creatine is a well-studied and safe ingredient, so this is one added ingredient you shouldn’t worry about. (source) I also like that this supplement has no fat or artificial flavors. However, it does contain three grams of whole grain brown rice powder. Now, there are both pros and cons to this whole grain brown rice powder. Of course, the obvious downside is that it’s a filler (i.e. unnecessary), although this supplement does contain less filler than many other brands on the market. However, it’s a better filler than certain brands on the market, which use maltodextrin. This is because brown rice is a complex carbohydrate, which doesn’t get converted into glycogen as quickly as maltodextrin. In other words, it helps you to stay lean.
MuscleMeds
MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate Powder One container of MuscleMeds Carnivor Beef Protein Isolate Powder has 4.5 pounds (2000 grams) of powder, or 56 servings. Each serving consists of 23 grams of protein—a relatively high amount. What sets this supplement apart from others on the market is its Anabolic Nitrogen Retention Technology. This assists the body in recycling amino acids and reducing ammonia (a waste product that can decrease performance). The downside to this supplement is that it contains eight grams of carbohydrate, sourced mostly from maltodextrin. This carbohydrate is a fast-absorbing one, which is quickly converted into glycogen. This is problematic because excess glycogen becomes fat in your body. For this reason, this supplement should only be used post-workout. Another thing that makes me uneasy about this supplement is the fact that it contains artificial flavors and quite a bit of sodium.
Vital Proteins
Vital Proteins Collagen Protein, Beef Gelatin Vital Proteins offers a two-pound (907-gram) container of beef gelatin (a collagen protein supplement). This product is different from the others above for two reasons: 1) it gels 2) it consists of collagen protein only. Regarding the form of this supplement (gelatin), it may be a good thing if you are not a fan of shakes or smoothies. The powder will turn into a gel when added to cold liquids. You can make gummy bears out of this or consume it like you would Jell-O. Now, you may be wondering what collagen protein is and what it does for your body. Well, collagen makes up a large part of your cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone, and skin. (source) When collagen is simmered, it forms gelatin, which may help those with “leaky guts.” The amino acid, glycine, makes up a large portion of collagen. Some of the roles glycine plays are: converting glucose into energy and slowing the effects of aging. I love that the ingredient list for this supplement is so short and simple. In fact, I can’t really call it a list since it only contains one thing—bovine hide gelatin. This supplement is high quality in the sense that is non-GMO, Kosher and sourced from grass-fed cows. However, it consists of gelatin from bovine hide only (instead of bones or joints). This may or may not be an issue to you. It is important to note that this supplement still contains a high amount of various amino acids, though. However, you may want to pay attention to the amino acid profile if you are looking to build muscle. Branched-chain amino acids (such as leucine, valine and isoleucine) are the ones which are most important to muscle protein synthesis (source). This supplement contains relatively low amounts of those amino acids. Though this supplement isn’t used primarily to build muscle, many users say it does help in relieving bone and joint pain.
our #1 rated
Pros
Hydrolyzed for fast absorption
Non-GMO
USDA-inspected beef
Chocolate flavor (also comes in vanilla and strawberry)
Fat-free, sugar-free
Lactose-free, gluten-free
Contains branched-chain amino acids (stimulates muscle protein synthesis)
Provides 25 grams of protein per serving
Cons
Contains artificial flavor
May be too sweet
Doesn’t mix perfectly in water
our #2 rated
Pros
Hydrolyzed for fast absorption
Sourced from grass-fed, pastured cows (no hormones or antibiotics)
Provides 25 grams of protein per serving
Infused with probiotics
Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free
Non-GMO
Natural sweetener (stevia), no sucralose
Cons
May be too sweet for some
Doesn’t blend well, chunky
Has some fat (but very low content)
our #3 rated
Pros
Contains creatine monohydrate (boosts strength)
Provides 24 grams of protein per serving
Great price
Natural flavors
Hydrolyzed for fast absorption
Contains branched-chain amino acids
Cons
Contains filler (whole grain brown rice powder)
Made in facility that processes fish, tree nuts, soy and milk
Doesn’t mix perfectly
Many users complain that it tastes bad
our #4 rated
Even with those issues, though, many users say this beef protein powder supplement helped them to gain muscle mass.
Pros
Sourced from USDA-approved beef
Provides 23 grams of protein per serving
Contains creatine monohydrate (boosts strength)
Contains branched-chain amino acids (stimulates muscle protein synthesis)
Contains ingredients that enhance nitrogen retention
Available in 10 flavors
Lactose-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, fat-free
Hydrolyzed for fast absorption
Cons
Has eight grams of carbohydrates, contains maltodextrin
Has artificial flavors
High sodium content
Doesn’t mix well
Bad smell
our #5 rated
Pros
Non-GMO
Kosher
No overpowering flavors, makes good base for shakes
Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle (no hormones, steroids or antibiotics)
Contains eight essential amino acids, plus non-essential amino acids
No fat
Cons
Manufactured in facility that process tree nuts, fish and milk (not safe for those with allergies)
Bad smell
Doesn’t mix well
Sourced from cow hide, not bones
Takes longer to digest than collagen hydrolysate or peptides
Conclusion
It was hard deciding which of these five products is the best beef protein powder supplement. The top two brands (Maximum Human Performance and Julian’s Bakery) were both very good and high in quality. However, I would have to go with Julian Bakery’s Paleo Protein as my top choice.
I like that this company has high standards for quality, with the supplement being non-GMO certified and gluten-free. It also comes from grass-fed, pastured cows, so I know I am getting a safe product.
In addition to that, this supplement contains what any good beef protein powder contains—branched-chain amino acids for muscle protein synthesis and hydrolyzed protein for fast absorption.
It is also free of saturated fat, sugar and carbohydrate fillers. The ingredient list is very short and this supplement only contains natural products.
The only complaint by users is that it may be a bit too sweet, but if you can handle the taste of stevia, this is as good as beef protein powder gets.
Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
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