Another important difference between protein powders lies in the different forms of processing. Most commercial whey proteins are processed using high-heat treatment, and acid washing to rid whey proteins of impurities. Many times this leads to the whey being contaminated with synthetic additives or chemicals, creating an "acidic" product that is lower in nutrients.
COLD PROCESSING ON THE OTHER HAND, USES LOW TEMPERATURES TO ALLOW FOR RETENTION OF NUTRIENTS, AMINO ACIDS, AND MINERALS IN THEIR NATURAL STATE TO OPTIMALLY FUNCTION AS A WHEY PROTEIN POWDER. COLD PROCESSING ALSO PROTECTS BIOACTIVE PORTIONS OF IMMUNE BOOSTING WHEY PROTEINS: IMMUNOGLOBULINS AND LACTOFERRIN.
In clinical studies, researchers at McGill University in Montreal, Canada showed that cold-processed whey protein concentrate boosted glutathione levels in the tissues of mice, and we know higher glutathione levels can boost the immune system. They found that whey can best impact glutathione when it is under low temperature and low acid conditions that will not "denature" the protein. The whey protein concentrate that underwent heat treatment contained damage in the proteins that are responsible for forming important bonds that enhance glutathione levels.*
The commercially processed versions of whey protein concentrate still contain adequate amounts of protein, but they are lower in the key components that boost glutathione, which can optimally enhance immune function. Grass fed, cold processed whey protein concentrate contains the added benefits of maintaining antioxidant capacity through the preservation of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. The molecular structure of the molecules is preserved and not denatured throughout the entire process of filtering. *
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