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Whey protein bars can help both athletes and aging people

Athletes want to gain muscle -- especially body builders and weight lifters. People over 40 need to protect themselves from gradual muscle mass loss.

Whey has a high reputation as a food supplement because it may promote higher levels of glutathione and muscle building. Therefore, whey protein bars are in demand by bodybuilders and weight lifters.

Whey is isolated from cheese, a liquid byproduct of its manufacture -- a group of globulated proteins. It contains everything soluble from milk. It's a five percent solution of lactose, including some minerals and lactalbumin. It contains beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin.

There're three types: concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. It contains many branch chained amino acids (BCAA) (leucine, isoleucine and valine). The leucine may help protein synthesis to build new muscle in people working out. It also contains cysteine which may help increase available glutathione, an important antioxidant.

It has the highest amount of BCAAs of any protein source, so it's considered by many the highest quality and best form of protein. It also contains a precursor to glutamine, which is a muscle enhancer, in addition to building endurance and reducing muscle deterioration -- which suggests that aging people should eat whey protein to reduce sarcopenia, the gradual loss of muscle mass in the elderly.

It also contains Beta-Lactoglobulin, Glycomacropeptide (GMP), Alpha-lactalbumin, Lactoferrin, Immunoglobulins, Lactoperoxidase, Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), and Lysozyme.

Some bars include: Power Crunch; Snack Bar, Frozen Protein Bars ( Chocolate Fantasy, Mocha Madness, Berry Blast, Orange Passion, Key Lime), Kraft Balance Gold, and Next Proteins Energy Bars (Detour™, UTurn™, OneWay™, Joyride, NEXTup™, MAXXON™, and Designer Whey™ Bars).

Another product is Elevate Me, three cookies in one package. Dried fruit and almonds, plus 16 grams of protein. No artificial ingredients.  They're 66 grams total, which is more than the average meal bar. There're six flavors: Macha Green Tea with Cranberries, Blueberry Cranberry Gojiberry Boost, Cocoa Coconut, Banana Nut Bread, Expresso Cocoa Crunch, and Chocolate Acai Berry.

Next Nutrition has four bar lines: U Turn, Detour, One Way, and Joy Ride.

U Turn bars are chocolate and reportedly tastes good. They're larger than average -- containing 30 grams of their own whey protein as well as 26 grams of fat, with 300 calories.

Detour Core Strength bars also contain 30 grams of protein plus 32 grams of carbs, and 330 calories. One flavor -- White Chocolate Peanut Butter.

Universal makes Hi Protein Bars with whey protein isolates. They're 85 grams, larger than most other bars, yet have only 302 calories. Total carbs are 33 grams. Flavors: Brownie, Smores, and Peanute Butter.

Muscle Tech makes Meso-Complete Cookie Bars. They each contain 25 grams of protein, and 25 to 40 grams of carbohydrates, making them overweighted with carbs compared to protein.

The Chocolate Covered cookie bar comes in these flavors: Peanut Butter Chocolate, Cookies and Cream. The Oat cookie bars come in these flavors: Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate Chip. The Cookie Bar flavors are Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Double Chocolate.  

Chief Jay Prio O Plex bars contain whey protein isolate, but also soy protein isolate, for people who want a blend of the two leading types of proteins used in food products. Each bar contains 32 grams of protein and 34 grams of carbohydrates -- a total of 330 calories.

Whey protein bars; may help athletes achieve their goals and everybody over age 40 to maintain muscle mass.