Importance of Protein: Best Whey Protein Powders and Side Effects of Soy

I'm having unusual side effects and am curious as to why I am having them. I have been working out hard for the past six months and have been taking Anabolic-7 pills with Pro Performance Creatine 189 pills for the past four weeks and have been getting great results with no bad side effects. I have been using them for about three and a half weeks. I started taking a powdered protein shake a couple of days ago and since then I have been experiencing severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramping, and nausea. This only happens after I drink a shake. I switched to a different brand or type of protein shake thinking it was maybe the brand or type of protein and have even tried mixing the powder with skim milk versus water, but I get the same reaction regardless. I know that protein is essential, and I know that I need to take a protein supplement, but I am worried if there is something wrong with me. Have you ever heard of this or ever experienced this type of reaction from powdered protein supplements? Do you have an idea what could be causing this? Any thoughts, suggestions, or help would be greatly appreciated.

Dear John, You didn't mention what type of protein shake you used, but if you have an allergy to whey which is milk protein, or soy, then your gastrointestinal symptoms could be an allergic reaction response. Also, common side effects of bodybuilding supplements do affect the gut and could cause gastrointestinal distress. It might be a good idea to give your body a rest and stop the combination supplements and just take only one product at a time, especially the protein shake. Some bodybuilders take only protein shakes and not the other supplements which you mentioned. I don't know much about these supplements, so you may want to check with a bodybuilding specialist or trainer. When you take several different types of supplements, you run the risk of creating an interaction. If, after stopping the supplements and shakes, you continue to have these symptoms, you might want to be checked by your doctor.

I am considering taking a whey protein supplement. Then I was told this could contribute to yeast infections. Is this true?

Dear Pam, I know of no problem with whey protein supplement causing yeast infections unless the person has an allergy to milk protein. Research with whey protein has shown that it increases cellular glutathione levels which is an important antioxidant that assists the body's immune system to fight off infections, neutralize toxins, rid the body of heavy metals and even carcinogens. Contrary to causing infections, whey is a potent enhancer of the immune system and helps to ward off infections.

I've recently had weight loss surgery and am steadily working towards getting my required protein in every day. I am still on a mostly liquid diet, so I use whey protein and Unjury unflavored protein powder for most of my daily intake. I was wondering if too little protein could cause headaches? I'm 3 weeks post-op, but the headaches have only been in the last two to three days.

Dear NWatson, I am not an expert in weight loss surgery and do not know the consequences of such surgery on the protein intake and absorption in the body. You should tell your doctor of your headaches so that he or she can advise you if this is related to your diet and protein intake, absorption, or whether it could be related to your surgery. You might also want to find a support group of patients who have had similar surgery. Good luck in your endeavors.

So whey protein 100% will contain all the essential amino acids that you would normally get from eating meat products? So basically whey protein 100% is equal to eating meat?

I am just wondering what is the best foods that you can eat with whey protein for the best results for weight loss? I started taking probiotic whey protein and carbohydrate formula yesterday. My aim is to lose my stomach fat and to tone up. I workout for about half an hour every day, running, skipping and cardio. workouts. I try my best to keep a well balanced diet, but when I took my supplement yesterday, I was eating a lot of carbohydrates and today I've noticed that I have put on a few pounds, making me the heaviest I have been. Should I also be incorporating weights to my workout also?

Dear Robby, Whey protein powder contains all the essential amino acids needed by the body and in the correct proportions. Meat is a total protein also, but I would not go so far as to say that whey protein is the same or the equivalent as eating meat, just as you cannot compare apples to oranges. It can be used by some people who are not sensitive to it as another option to obtain all the essential amino acids needed by the body.

Dear Cerys, It is best to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and go light on the carbohydrates when you are trying to lose weight. Ordinary whey protein powders are not usually meant to be used as weight loss products but rather as supplements for obtaining more protein and the essential amino acids for the body unless the whey powder specifically states on the bottle that it is a weight loss product and a substitute for a meal replacement. So if your whey powder is not specifically labeled as a weight loss product, it is not to be used for such. You might have gained water weight due to an imbalance in your protein/carbohydrate intake. You may need to seek out a professional with expertise in weight loss and carbohydrate/protein loading to determine your dilemma. Weight training is encouraged to gain muscle mass but muscle weighs more than fat, so if your aim is to lose weight in pounds, it may not happen with weight training. However, weight training will help to change fat into muscle. I hope this helps.

Dear Cerys, You might want to check into Tony Horton Workouts, and the TeamBeachBody weight loss formulas too. Although I have not tried them, the results people are getting with the ten minute workout and the companion formulas are quite impressive, plus it is fun to be a part of a group of like minded people who have the same motivation to get fit and healthy. My guess is there formulas would be balanced.

Dr. Leia, I've been taking Isopure whey protein off and on for about 4 years. I recently picked back up with it and am taking about 30g per day or one shake. Since I've picked it back up I feel nervousness and my hands jitter, almost constantly. I cant tell if the jitters are any better or worse after I drink my shake. Are these typical side effects of taking whey protein?

Dear Jake, Isopure looks like it contains sucralose, or Splenda, as a sweetener. Even though it is made from sugar, it may have some side effects because of the way it is processed. You can go here to read more about the negative effects of sucralose> Information on Sucralose. In any event, I would try staying off the product long enough until you are truly able to determine if it is the cause of your jitters.

Good Day Dr Leia, I have been using a Protein shake everyday for the last 2 weeks skipping Saturdays and Sundays (the product contains both milk and soy proteins) After about 14 days, I experienced stomach cramps and severe diarrhea. Could this be that the increase in protein in my diet is causing malabsorption and providing too much protein for my body to digest? Is this a common side effect when taking protein shakes? Will it help if I reduce my protein intake ? Any other suggestions ? Thank You Ron

I am trying to lose 10 lbs in the next 3 weeks. I work out on a daily basis and eat a lot of vegetables. I don't eat much meat and the only meat I eat is chicken, but I rarely do so. I was told to drink 8 oz of a smoothie containing the following: 1 scoop of Whey protein powder, 8oz. of milk, and 1 cup of frozen fruit. Will this help my weight loss goal, or diminish it?

Is whey protein to be taken before or after my strength training? I am a thirty-four year old woman weighing 84 KGS. I want to be lean. I do my weight training thrice a week, an hour per session. I take whey protein only on the strength training days not on the other days when I am doing my cardiovascular workout. I am told that too much whey protein intake may cause deficiency of calcium in women. Is that true?