Many people have probably heard the word “casein”. “What is it?” some users ask. The name itself is associated with the word “goat”. However, the squirrel has nothing to do with this animal. The word “casein” comes from the words “cheese” or “cottage cheese”. This is how these names sound in some European languages. I wonder what this protein is for, what function does this substance perform in our body? This article is devoted to these questions. And also we will find out which products have the most of it and who usually takes artificially synthesized casein. Casein. What’s this? Everything in our body is interconnected. Lack or excess of even any one component leads to serious consequences. Therefore, information about the nutrients that the human body needs will be useful for everyone. So, casein is the second protein in animal milk. And the first is whey protein, which contributes, so to speak, to the construction of the muscles of our body. Casein also prevents their decay. It is clear that these two components must be combined, as their actions are complementary. It is also worth noting that a distinctive feature of the protein we are considering is its ability to be slowly absorbed. This is due to the fact that it contains a special adhesive substance, which, when it enters the stomach, prevents the action of gastric juice. Thus, when using pure casein or products containing it, the feeling of satiety lasts a very long time. It does not contain lactose. Therefore, fears about the occurrence of diarrhea after its use are not justified. This information is for those who do not like or consume cow’s milk. Types of casein protein. But not everything is so simple. It turns out that there are two types of this protein: • Sodium/calcium caseinate. It is obtained by processing animal milk with various acids. This is a cheaper product than the type of protein discussed below. A protein shake containing this substance is less palatable than a mixture consisting of micellar casein. Consumers who have tried both products are confident that it is a bit heavy on the stomach. • Micellar casein. It is formed during ultrafiltration of milk, in the same way as whey, it is purified from carbohydrates and fats. Compared to calcium caseinate, it is lighter and is the highest quality product among similar substances. How is casein obtained? It is important to understand that proteins enter our body with food. But you can synthesize them chemically and use them in their pure form. So, micellar casein, as mentioned above, is obtained from milk by gentle methods, without the use of heat and aggressive acids. In this case, the natural structure of the protein chain is not disturbed. Calcium and sodium caseinate is obtained by various technological methods using acids and enzymes. In its pure form, the product is a cream-colored powder with a fresh specific smell and mild taste. You can store the product for 2 years after the date of production at room temperature in a closed container. Where is casein found? As mentioned above, the main source of the protein we are considering is animal milk. Moreover, according to its content, it is casein (cow) and albumin (mare and donkey). From this we can conclude that the main source of our protein is cow’s milk and its derivatives, such as cottage cheese. It contains 18% casein. For comparison, in milk and kefir, this figure is much lower – 3%. In addition, cottage cheese is an easily digestible product rich in calcium. The highest content of this protein is found in cheese. There it is as much as 30%. Another plus of this product is the balanced content of phosphorus and calcium. It has only one drawback – a lot of fat. Who Needs Casein? The protein discussed here stimulates the synthesis of muscle tissue in our body. Therefore, very often it is used by people who are seriously involved in sports, especially bodybuilders and athletes. The ability of the substance to be slowly digested in the stomach and maintain a feeling of satiety for a long time makes it a popular product among losing weight people. Casein suppresses appetite well. The main thing here is to know how to use it correctly. The substance is a complete source of protein and calcium, which is necessary to maintain healthy bone tissue. Therefore, it is often taken by people involved in recovery gymnastics and novice athletes. Vegetarians who do not eat meat also use it as a source of protein. How to take casein? It should immediately be noted that this product should be consumed in moderation. That is, the statement “the more casein, the better muscle tone and better health” is fundamentally wrong. Excessive use of it is fraught with the risk of digestive problems. In addition, do not forget that it is a fairly strong allergen. We now know where casein is contained. The use of products that contain it will only be beneficial for us. But pure casein should be taken following these tips: • when gaining muscle mass, its daily dose should be 30-45 grams, while losing weight – 15-20 grams; • take the product only at night (before going to bed); • when losing weight, a protein shake is drunk 2, 3 or 4 times a day; • if it is assumed that a person will be without food for a long time, then he needs to take 30-40 grams of the product once to satisfy his hunger and prevent muscle breakdown; • the product can be used to prepare various cocktails and puddings by adding it to milk, boiled water, fruit juice or kefir. What to look for when buying a product? These valuable tips will help any buyer not to make a mistake in choosing a protein: • Carefully study the composition of the package and find out what the source of the protein is. It must be remembered that micellar casein is most preferred. What it is and why it is valuable, we already know. If it is in the composition of the product, then the buyer will know about it immediately, as each manufacturer tries to emphasize this. • It is worth trusting only trusted, well-known manufacturers. The low price of the goods should alert. Good quality rarely comes cheap. Consumer Reviews Most sports users (especially men) report taking casein regularly. Reviews about this product suggest that the tool helps to quickly build muscle mass. Some people advise taking the product with you, for example, on the road. It also satisfies hunger well, and takes up little space. At the same time, purchased casein, intended for creating cocktails, has different tastes: cherry, chocolate, strawberry, and so on. People in the reviews write that after drinking such a drink, you want to drink. Most likely, this is due to the swelling of the substance in the stomach. After eating the product, you can forget about the feeling of hunger for a long time. If a to analyze the most popular manufacturers of this product, we can conclude that their list is as follows: • Dymatize Nutrition. • Optimum Nutrition. • Muscle Pharm. • Syntrax Micellar. This article was about such a substance as casein. What it is and why it is needed, we found out.