Any truth to Optimum's Whey Protein = poor quality?

[elemental007]

I used to take Optimum 100% Whey. Then people started going into great detail about how optimum uses poor quality control, doesn't deliver what it promises, etc., and I switched to Whey Isolate from ProteinFactory.com. But basically I could drink 2x the number of protein shakes with Optimum and their 10 lb bag, so I'm considering going back to it. Any truth to their quality issues, though?

 

[fhg43]

I used to take Optimum 100% Whey. Then people started going into great detail about how optimum uses poor quality control, doesn't deliver what it promises, etc., and I switched to Whey Isolate from ProteinFactory.com. But basically I could drink 2x the number of protein shakes with Optimum and their 10 lb bag, so I'm considering going back to it. Any truth to their quality issues, though?

IMO no, there is no truth to their QA issues. They make good stuff. It is inexpensive, but that doesn't mean it is low quality. They don't invest much in their product packaging or make outrageous claims about their products. Biotestes has awesome advertisments and slick labels, but their stuff sucks...

FHG
Optimum Investor

 

[witkowsd]

DPS claims that Optimum Whey is their biggest seller.

 

[Thaibox]

I've only heard good things about Optimum. I believe that someone on the board has lab results for their products.

 

[bdog527]

Re: Re: Any truth to Optimum's Whey Protein = poor quality?

IMO no, there is no truth to their QA issues. They make good stuff. It is inexpensive, but that doesn't mean it is low quality. They don't invest much in their product packaging or make outrageous claims about their products. Biotestes has awesome advertisments and slick labels, but their stuff sucks...

FHG
Optimum Investor

I use Optimum Whey as my main protein drink. That said I think that Biotest LC Grow! is the best tasting protein drink on the market. Too bad I can't afford it.

 

[anthrax]

Optimum is too big a brand to cheat...

I think it is a good and cheap protein powder

 

[riskybizz007]

I've read 2 lab results of Optimum and other protein brands, Optimum was the only one that exceeded protein label claims. They make good stuff.

 

[riskybizz007]

Forgot to mention one thing... I remember Everyone saying, "Proteinfactory is the best!" yada yada yada. Nobody every bothered to check their protein out, when they did is when people found out they did not meet their label. Just my 2cents.

 

[Scaggs]

Optimum's protein is cheep because they don't spend millions in advertising hype. They also manufacture all their own protein themselves cutting out middlemen. Optimum is a very reputable company and their protein in my opinion is the best out there. Expecially for the price.

I've also only heard good things about them aswell. Any rumors you hear about them must be coming from angry or jealous persons with an agenda to push something else or to just be "different" from what all of us use.

Scaggs

 

[covert ash]

Well if everyone were to take a look at the labels on Optimum's 100% Whey protein, you will notice that the first ingredient is none other than a protein blend which they title Quadplex. OK, we're good so far. Then you'll notice the parentheses, denoting that the following items are what make up the blend. And what do we discover? The first ingredient listed is whey protein concentrate! That's right ladies and gents, whey protein concentrate! A lower quality form of whey protein. Most people should know that the first ingredient listed is also what is the most abundant ingredient in the mix. Of course, following the concentrate are two isolates and even some hydrolyzed peptides (aka. the way more higher quality forms of whey).

So let's take a minute to think about this. The cost of Optimum Nutrition's 100% Whey powder is far more cheaper than your average whey isolate. Hmmm... why? Optimum wouldn't stoop so low as to put a shitload of whey concentrate while only sprinkling itsy bitsy particles of the isolates and hydrolyzed peptides in there would they?

Here's the kicker of them all. How's a company going to sell you high quality product for such a small price? Perhaps Optimum really isn't in the market to earn money? Because other than that I can't see any company standing to lose money like that. That's why a company like this CAN afford to exceed label claims of the amount of protein in it.

Let's get real here: you get what you pay for. Is Optimum's 100% Whey high quality? Perhaps as one of the higher quality whey concentrate manufacturers but that's about it.

Am I saying it doesn't build muscle? No. Protein is protein. I'm just trying to help set some kind of trend to pay attention to what you're buying before going around touting a product to be the best in terms of quality.

 

[gsxr1000]

As long as I'm getting 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound, I couldn't care less if it's WPC or WPI. With the amount of protein I drink in shake form, if I made the effort to get 100% WPI all the time, I'd be wasting alot of money

 

[covert ash]

As long as I'm getting 1-1.5 grams of protein per pound, I couldn't care less if it's WPC or WPI. With the amount of protein I drink in shake form, if I made the effort to get 100% WPI all the time, I'd be wasting alot of money

I'm not saying that you should go out and just use plain ol' isolates. I completely understand what you mean in terms of cost for proteins.

What I am saying is that people should not just blindly lead others into believing that a certain product is king of quality when it really isn't.

As I said before, protein is protein (except when it is in the form of gelatin). Just pay attention to what it is you're advocating before you go around spreading the word.

 

[Geoff]

I can't comment on their quality, but for the price u are getting a good deal with Optimum! There Protein Powder is'nt the best on the planet, but it's certainly not the worst and there 10lbs bags are a real bargain

I would choose Optimum over Protein Factory.

 

[gusrj]

results speak for themselves

I'm using Optimum for my main source of protein, in an almost ketogenic diet(similar to the T-Dawg diet from testosterone.net). I´m visibly losing fat and getting bigger in a day-to-day basis, no gas problems(and believe me when I tell I'm allergic to lactose and similars) and feeling great.
The only thing I can say is that it's excellent and cheap, jus go for it!

 

[Lincoln Hawk]

Funny, I was debating on whether to buy some of this stuff today. I saw the 10 lb bags and the price and my mouth dropped. I was skeptical about the quality as well, but after reading this thread, I might as well go for it.

 

[gtrcivic]

Optimum 100% Whey 10lb bag is what i am taking right now. After the first 10lb bag and no runs/gas, i bought another 10 lb bag. Not bad for $43 for the 10lb bag. Great taste, mixes well without clumping and sure fills me up. Also have noticed solid gains from it along with my strict diet and workout.

 

[1fast400]

I had it tested a while back along with their complete protein diet. They passed with flying color on label claim.

 

[CrazyD]

Assay from place I order

Here is an actual assay that I found on the 100% whey.


Enjoy!

http://www.1fast400.com/store/images/optimum-results.gif

Results are below:

Analysis Requested: Nutritional Parameters
Analytical method: AOAC
Sample Lot No.: 20281F Exp 03/04

Lab Sample ID: 023-977
Product Name: 100% Whey Protein
Date Received: 04/29/02
Date Analyzed: 05/1-03/02
Date Reported: 5/07/02

Parameter
Result
Unit

Calories
360 Calories/100 g
Protein
75.7 %



Notes:
According to company label claims, this protein should contain only 74.82 % protein per 100 grams.

 

[Fortes]

"What I am saying is that people should not just blindly lead others into believing that a certain product is king of quality when it really isn't."

Who was doing this? I think everyone here was trying to say that Optimum is the best bang for the buck retail protein supplement on the market (which it is). You can buy wholsale WPI in 33 lb. bags for about $4.00/lb, but it won't be instantized, it won't have any flavoring (which can be quite a drag in terms of having to taste that shit over and over again) and it won't come in a resealable bag.

And what do you define as quality? Optimum goes down just as smooth for me as Isopure, and I'm very lactose intolerant. it doesn't taste quite as good, it has some carbs and fat in it (unlike zero carb isopure), but none of that matters unless you're on some super anal retentive diet (and even then, it hardly matters still).

If you prefer Isolate to Concentrate (which I can understand if your drinking over 100+ grams of protein daily), check out American Whey - 25 lb. bucket of Isolate, supposedly the best taste (won some kind of award for "best tasting protein shake"), sweetened with Stevia for around $160.00 (that's $6 per pound as opposed to optimum's $5.00)