Whey protein isolate is the powder to choose if you want the most protein per scoop with very little fat, lactose or carbs along for the ride. It costs a little more than regular whey. Here is what that extra money buys, so you can decide whether it is worth it for you.
What Whey Protein Isolate Is
If you have ever wondered why two tubs of whey cost different amounts, the answer is filtering. All whey starts as the liquid left over when milk is made into cheese. Isolate is filtered further than regular whey, which strips out most of the fat and most of the lactose. The protein that builds muscle stays the same, so what you pay for is a cleaner gram.
Who Isolate Suits Best
Isolate makes the most sense if you drink more than one shake a day, watch your carbs and fat closely, or feel off after regular whey. It digests fast, so most people take it right before or after training. If milk sugar is what bothers your stomach, isolate usually helps, because most of the lactose is filtered out. A milk allergy is a different matter, since isolate is still a milk protein.
Isolate vs Concentrate vs Blend
If you are staring at three kinds of whey and cannot tell them apart, this is the short version.
| Type | How it is made | How fast it digests | Best time to take it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whey protein isolate | Filtered the most, so most of the fat and lactose is removed | Fast | Right before or after training |
| Whey concentrate | Filtered the least, so more fat and lactose remain | Fast | When price matters more than lactose |
| Protein blend | Whey mixed with slower milk proteins such as casein | Slower, over several hours | As a meal or before bed |
What Is in Our Isolate
You should know exactly what is in the tub before you buy it. Precision ISO is pasture fed whey protein isolate with 27 grams of protein in every flavor. Carbs run 1 to 2 grams and fat 0 to 0.5 grams, depending on the flavor. It is sweetened with stevia leaf extract, so it has no artificial sweeteners and no added sugar. It comes in 1.5 lb and 4 lb tubs.
Precision Café ISO is the same pasture fed isolate made with coffee and cocoa, with about 11 to 15 mg of caffeine per scoop. Precision ISO is third party tested for purity and potency.
Still deciding whether isolate is worth the extra cost? We laid out the whole comparison, including where the cheaper option wins, in whey isolate vs whey protein. If a slower shake sounds like a better fit, look at Precision Blend, our time released protein.