QuestionEvelyn
This whey protein seems to be popular and all the health food stores stock it, even walmart and other chain department stores.
Is it just for those looking to bulk up as an addition to their regular diet, or is it a meal replacement? Some sites say it helps with weight loss as well.
I am not trying to bulk up, just the opposite. I am 53 and already quite muscular, I would like to get more ripped so to speak, especially in the abdomen.
I have increased the cardio to where I cant do anymore and cut back on the fats and carbs but I am not losing (or gaining).
I am having some success with yogurt to reduce the bloating, maybe if I mixed some yogurt with the whey in the morning for a smoothie?
Lots of brands out there too. What would you recommend if you did recommend?
Thanks!
AnswerDear Van,
Whey concentrate or isolate is a complete protein: which means it contains essential amino acids which cannot be made by the body from other (incomplete) protein sources. For your information, these acids are the following: Tryptophan, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine+Cystine, Phenylalanine+Tyrosine, Valine, Histidine. By combining incomplete proteins over the course of a daily regimen, one tends to avoid any lack (with the exception of some very strict fructarian or vegan diets; and during convalescence, metabolic disease, or eating disorders). These facts stand regardless of one's nutritional philosophy. Now for my opinion, which is largely based on Anthroposophical nutrional guidelines, corroborating many Aryuvedic and Taoist principles.
Whey protein is very easy to digest: but this may not always be such a good thing. From a holistic perspective the effort it takes to break down foreign protein (all we ingest, unless we are cannibals) creates a healthy stamina on an organic level, which does not only run on energy (fuel/calories) and atomic building blocks. It ain't just what you do, but the way you do it....
The process of catabolism and anabolism is what really matters; and the variety in proteins we eat (from plant to animal substances) makes for an energetic interplay of inner/outer, upper/lower, physical and cosmic nutritional streams. This dynamic - both subtle and measurable in particles - is what ensures a harmonious cooperation of the body as a fully integrative system. This is health: where the alien is overcome and owned. This approach becomes indispensible to they who see the human being as a four fold organism (- born into flesh and bones, with a life force, soul, and spirit).
While this approach far from cancels out the intricate bio-chemistry of the body, thinking in numbers and chemical benefits when chosing a nutritional product is something stimulated entirely by the head, and often a second-hand thought at that (propaganda). It prevents you from listening better to your inner little voice and understanding more about who you really are. A healthy diet with conscious, varying (per season/state of health), adjustable choices serves this purpose above all.
In general, we all know that over 50 we need to decrease our protein intake, and not increase it.The basic reason being, we are no longer required to build up extra muscle: like it or not, the body is on the decline - as the mind should be ever becoming a stronger fort. Technically, the body is programmed to consider minor repairs only, and all (literal) body building is quite simply (literally) foolish. But it is hard to get one's head around that, granted. I do relate - if not with the exact same body parts. The challenge at hand is to move away from the mirror (of foolish self-perception)and nurture a more penetrative gaze.
There comes a time when we have to decide to challenge nature and cross her natural boundaries(which very quickly passes into the absurd) or respect and accept nature. Regardless of modern technology and all it can (and must) do to enhance the quality of our life, it remains (to this day, still) unnatural to defy the nature of one's body. Fighting off alien intrusion is one thing, but pumping youth back into oneself or extending life beyond the capacity for natural life force is almost desecration of one's self (spirit) - and often the results (as we can clearly see from extreme cases) quite ugly (and wrong). Training up the (temporary) body, usually at the cost of training up the (eternal) Self. This spiritual perspective can weave a very complex web of understanding but let it suffice here, that from a holistic point of view- a whole-making or heal-ing point of view - it is not advisable to take any supplement or power-food for the purpose of aesthetic improvements or underlying chronic health conditions - which bloating usually is (a sign of sluggish digestive processes - often caused by very subtle energetic-system disturbances one single PROTEIN product will definitely have no effect on, on the contrary).
What cannot be attained by a sensible, balanced diet within an average calorie intake, and regular exercise, simply is not in the natural cards - and where you take it from there is at your own discretion. Just to remind you of something you are probably very well aware of: asking yourself about your spiritual motivations for self-improvement is always sensible, and helps one age gracefully and not desperately.
The immunoglobulins and lacto-bacillae in whey powder is all fine for the intestinal flora, which in turn supports the immune system, and promotes regular metabolic functions, but all this is subject to a highly sophisticated and complex organisation which runs ABOVE ALL on processes and an integral dynamic, where inner and outer and upper and lower is integrated harmoniously. The more one becomes aware of this the trimmer, slimmer, and fitter one may naturally become: but largely through making more conscious choices and increased self-observation. The starting point in these recorded cases/statistics (advocating sales) is usually an obese one. All other claims of weightloss achieved through the ingestion of a specific product is poppycock, omitting many additional circumstances and conditions, which explains the hit-and-miss success rate and the constant competetive and innovative market out there.
The objections to whey powder is that it is very high in protein without any life-force. It makes it unidentifiable to the organism on a dynamic level: it is dead/mineral matter, which can make the system sluggish, bored even, and mechanical. You won't die from this, and some people do not even ever develop modern consumerist diseases from such nutrional habits; it can even be a benefit after major surgery; but it does not promote holistic health, self-awareness and a higher spirituality. In some cases, it can, quite plainly, even tax health in people over 50, stressing the kidney-radiation-system, if not directly on an organic level, there can be an impact on the hormone household (incl cholesterol in a fattier type of whey) which in turn affects causing kidney related problems, from simple anxiety, stress, or lethargy, apathy, to shallow breathing, poor oxygenation, high blood pressure etc).
Smoothies are deceptive: high in calories and can lead to yeasting processes which aggravate a tendency to bloating. it is wiser to eat pieces of fruit in their entirety. You'll eat a more sensible amount, and the digestion is slower: the sugar levels kept more even. The benefits of organic fruit cannot be minimised. They are fuller of life, light, energy, which will all stimulate your processing system - and help you to radiate (which ultimately is better than any ripped or rippling chest - that might even be, by some sensitive folk, perceived as shallow). Not all fruits are suitable for all people, either: an apple is not a banana! Some combinations are not advisable and juicing them indiscriminately is not a guarantee for superb health.
Curds and a lacto-milk drink, or yoghurt with muesli would make a far better breakfast, stimulating you on a much larger and more intensely dynamic scale. Know also how your upper/lower (head/metabolism) is better connected through a healthy rhythmic middle region, by slower digestion, more conscious tasting, chewing, and even preparing of a full meal. The inner/outer bridge is further better connected by steady, regular, ongoing activity (not only spurts of cardio-vascular activity): take regular walks where possible; do more housework...! These subtle details seem to make a difference in quite a few instances where food can make any difference to a person's health at all.
Words like organic and natural in combination with whey do not make the product very much more attractive to me, since we still miss the word dynamic and living. The claims that the drying process does not denature the product is not the same. The product retains is fragmented connotations to my ears, with very physical aims and promises that approach health from the outside or projected image, with an intellectual, elementary science, rather than an inner and higher need.
This answer is fairly spiritually tinted, but this to counterbalance information out there on how great it is supposed to be for your physical health. This information seems fairly well balanced and complete, but it remains unholistic on every level. Also the product is currently subject to the usual fad-extortionism: and I would not begin to consider any whey - so far removed from nature by the time it reaches you - which has not begun as bio-dynamic milk. Organic can be an iffy label, even when certified. So don't bother paying more necessarily. But I don't think you will find any, since it is not a product that fits into the bio-dynamic philosophy....This rather unfair refusal to recommend whey, then, to try and get you to consider other things to help with attaining a tip-top gut (from the inside out). The (Taoist) Chinese did not exaggerate when they said the belly was the seat of all good health.
You could consider drinking carrot or beet, or vegetable cocktail juice with lactic acid added, if you want to improve your digestion and optimise your metabolic organs. Semi skimmed curds, yoghurt, kefir, acidophilus milk (vilii), butter milk, or goats/sheep milk should be your preference when chosing high protein products. Their properties outweigh a simple protein intake or amino acid count.
Other pro-biotic drinks can be consumed in addition to an otherwise fairly alkaline (and yeast-modest) diet to help with bloating and general health (try sour dough bread, too). Bread drink may not taste very appealing but is an excellent cleanser and keeps the intestinal flora optimal. There are several herbal lactic acid drinks - be they mainly Japanese, or Scandanavian and German recipes; but again, while many, including whey probably won't harm you, I would not go out of your way to make them a staple - especially not if it means you will pass up on an opportunity to eat more genuine, slow and truly vibrant food! Remember whole foods are wholesome foods.
Enjoy your wise and happy choices!
Kindest and best wishes,
Evelyn.
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