Native Whey
Native whey is whey protein extracted directly from skim milk through cold microfiltration, rather than as a by-product of cheese-making. Native whey undergoes less heat and acid processing, retains more intact protein fractions, and tends to be lower in lactose. It is also significantly more expensive than conventional whey.
Why It Matters
Native whey is the premium-of-the-premium category. The argument is that gentler processing preserves bioactive milk fractions (lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, growth factors) that survive into the finished powder. For most lifters chasing gains, the practical difference vs a quality regular whey isolate is small. For sourcing purists, native whey is the cleanest available form.
How to Spot It on a Label
Look for native whey, microfiltered whey, or 'undenatured' on the label. The price will be visibly higher per gram than conventional isolates. Promix, Ascent and several boutique grass-fed brands sell native whey. Some clear protein waters also use native whey as the base.
Examples from real products
Related Terms
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