Best Protein Powder

Best Protein Powder – Ray Peat Inspired

Have I found the best protein powder that fits Ray Peat and pro metabolic principles?

I think I have! It’s called 40Up by Collagen X.

The guys at Collagen X are amazing. Their understanding of pro metabolic principles and Ray Peat’s work factors into their product formulations. When I hit them with my concerns, they had already thought of it, countered it in their formulation and had studies to show the benefits. Their level of attention to detail on this was super impressive.

Real food vs processed food

Before we get into why I think it’s the best, I just wanted to say that overall, I favour real foods over more processed foods. However, there are instances where people don’t have access to grassfed or uncontaminated sources of protein. So, sourcing the next best option may be a necessity – to supplement at least part of your diet.

In the case of THIS particular protein powder though, you are getting SO MUCH MORE than just a single ingredient isolated protein.

Ray Peat’s concerns on protein powder

Here are a couple of quotes from Ray that shows his stance on protein powder:

Whey, which is sold as a protein supplement, and egg whites contain too much tryptophan and can be antithyroid if used excessively.” -Ray Peat, PhD

For example, whey protein contains much more tryptophan than whole milk or cheese does and would tend to suppress the thyroid and activate the whole serotonin-stress system. Whey might be good for fattening pigs, but its acceptance in the health food industry as a powdered protein supplement is just another example of the harmful effects of serotonin mythology.”-Ray Peat, PhD

Whey protein can be:

  • Insulinogenic – i.e. stimulates production of insulin
  • High in anti – metabolic amino acids
  • Stimulating to the immune system – meaning irritates it
  • Allergenic – Drying amino acids may make them allergenic

Keeping the above issues in mind and Ray teaching us to consider everything in context, the Collagen X crew has formulated this product to overcome these downsides. They’ve made the best protein powder that is truly beneficial for the body.

40Up Protein Powder

When I received it, I couldn’t believe how massive the bag was!

Here is a summary of how 40Up protein powder is different:

Combination of whey protein AND Peptan Hydrolysed Collagen in one product

  • Helps to balance the amino acids

Sourced particular whey that is (naturally) the lowest in Tryptophan, Cystine and Methionine.

  • Important because tryptophan contributes to serotonin production
  • Cysteine & methionine can raise inflammation & mitochondrial disfunction

High Branch Chain Amino Acid content (BCAA)

  • High proportion of leucine, isoleucine & valine
  • These BCAAs can block tryptophan absorption in the gut, reducing serotonin production even further.

Supports lowering Estrogen & Prolactin

  • Fortified with Zinc & Vitamin B3 both shown to lower these hormones

Added Magnesium

  • Enhances estrogen excretion
  • Plus, additional anabolic effects – i.e. growth of muscles, bones etc

Added Glycine – a massive 4.8g per serve

  • Ray Peat – “A generous supply of glycine, against a balanced background of amino acids, has a great variety of anti-stress actions. Glycine is recognized as an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter and promotes natural sleep. Used as a supplement, it has helped to promote recovery from strokes and seizures, and to improve learning and memory. In every type of cell, it apparently has the same kind of quieting, protective anti-stress action. The range of injuries produced by an excess of tryptophan and serotonin seems to be prevented or corrected by a generous supply of glycine. Fibrosis, free radical damage, inflammation, cell death from ATP depletion or calcium overload, mitochondrial damage, diabetes, etc., can be prevented or alleviated by glycine.”

Contains Prebiotic (oligofructose)

  • for gut integrity
  • reduced endotoxin levels

Added Creatine – 3g per serve

  • Participates in cellular energy production
  • Reduces tryptophan
  • Reduces oxidative DNA damage
  • Assists in creation of lean muscle mass

Vitamin C via the Natural Acerola Cherry Extract

  • Vitamin C is essential to assist gelatin to create new collagen in the body

Contains Calcium

  • Calcium to phosphate ratio determines whether tryptophan will be converted to excess serotonin, or Niacin.

No Additives or Unwanted Ingredients

40up is free from harmful additives, artificial sweeteners, and fillers, GMO, phosphates, gums, etc that are often found in other protein powders. Unnecessary additives and ingredients that can disrupt the gut and hormonal balance have been avoided.

WOW! – the Best Protein Powder I’ve ever seen

As you can see this is not your ordinary cheap single source protein powder. It is a carefully sourced and crafted balance of the anti-inflammatory amino acids with supporting nutrients to make it a pro-metabolic, muscle building, supplemental powerhouse.

The Company

Collagen X is an Australian company, and they do ship internationally as well.

40Up can be found here:

40UP Collagen & Whey Protein Powder – Vanilla Flavoured | CollagenX

Discount Code

Remember to use code: SLIMBIRDY for a 10% discount.

How exciting!

I’m off to dust off my past protein powder recipes like Chocolate Brownies and see if this works in it too. I’ll report back soon!

Cheers

 

Kristy x

 

For more in-depth information see:

https://collagenx.com.au/pages/why-40up

https://collagenx.com.au/blogs/pure-collagen/why-its-hard-to-gain-muscle-and-lose-fat-after-40