There are a lot of different casein protein powders to choose from in the marketplace and as such it is important to understand what protein is going to be the best fit for what you are trying to achieve. Having the right kind of protein to supplement your diet can help you to not only lose weight, but also build muscle at the same time.
As you will already know, protein is one of the key ingredients to building and repairing muscle. Without the right protein, you can lift weights as much as you like and not build muscle.
Timing can also play an vital role in building muscle mass, but trying to get enough protein in during the day can be a little challenging at times, which is why a good protein supplement is needed.
Our Top 3 Casein Protein Powders at a glance
Our three recommendations are based on price, quality and overall customer feedback.
| Casein | Customer Ratings | Feedback |
| 1) Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard |  |
Read 2,562 customer reviews |
|
Read 575 customer reviews | |
| 3) Dymatize Nutrition Elite | |
Read 186 customer reviews |
This article discusses some of the best casein protein powders on the market in 2018, so you can choose which is going to be the best fit for your workout and recovery.
These products were chosen based on the feedback from verified purchasers worldwide.
Protein can aid in fat loss and muscle gain depending on how you want to use it. Whether your goal is for weight gain or weight loss there is a solution that will fit your budget.
Most folks tend to use Casein protein powder at night before bed so that it continues to supply their muscles with a steady stream of amino acids while they’re a sleep.
This creates the best environment for building muscle, because your body is in repair mode while you’re a sleep. So Casein is able to supply your body with all the nutrients it needs to build lean muscle throughout the night.
So with that being said, let’s get started.
Our 5 Best Casein Protein Powders
#1 – Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
One of the biggest problems that most folks say about casein protein powder is that it can be difficult to drink especially if it has been sitting for a few minutes. Primarily because it starts to thicken up, and the longer you leave it, the more gluey or gluggy it gets.
Now, this isn’t a problem if you like a somewhat thick shake, but to some it can be a little difficult to drink.
So the cool thing about optimum nutrition Gold Standard Casein is that it thickens when it hits stomach acid, which means that it can help to make you feel fuller, for a longer period of time.
Most whey protein shakes tend to be a little thin, which feels a lot like drinking milk. But if you like the feeling of being full then this casein protein might be what you’re looking for. It’s best to take it at night before going to bed, so that you’re not going to bed feeling hungry.
Apart from feeling hungry, it does serve a purpose in that it will slow release amino acids throughout the night for a longer period of time than your ordinary whey protein, which means that your muscles with get a steady flow of amino acids while you sleep.
Click here for Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein discounts and customer reviews.
#2 – MusclePharm Time Release Protein Blend
If you’re looking for a slow release protein but don’t like having lots of different types of protein powders taking up your shelf space then this could be a good solution as it gives you the best of both worlds, the benefit of Whey as well as the slow release of casein.
There have been a number of mixed reviews, where customers have said that the products taste too sweet. It’s great if you have a sweet tooth, but not so if you don’t.
Click here for MusclePharm Combat discounts and customer reviews.
#3 – Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein
The taste and consistency of Dymatize Nutrition Elite casein appears to be quite good across the board.
Like most of the other casein protein products there are some good and bad reviews on the taste an consistency however, the majority of the reviewers tend to be positive.
One thing that seems to be consistent with a lot of the reviews is that it’s always a good idea to experiment with different forms of liquids and blending methods.
Some folks say that milk makes the protein taste a lot better while others blend it with ice and some even add a table spoon of peanut butter.
Click here for Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein discounts and customer reviews.
#4 – Universal Nutrition Casein Pro
The casein protein by Universal Nutrition is one of the best tasting casein protein we have seen. The taste of the product is second to none and if you like chocolate and peanut butter then you’re in for a treat.
This protein blends well with a variety of different liquids, such as milk, almond milk, low fat milk and even water.
If you’re not used to the consistency or taste of casein protein then this might be a good place for you to start, because it has been one of the better brands of casein proteins we have reviewed and what we have observed from other people who have purchased the product.
Click here for Universal Nutrition Casein discounts and customer reviews.
#5 – MuscleTech Platinum Casein
If you’re not used to the taste and the consistency of casein protein then the MuscleTech Platinum casein protein powder may not be a good fit for you.
Whilst it may contain a higher percentage of protein per scoop than some of it’s competitors it may also be a lot harder to drink.
Some reviewer say that if you leave it to sit for a while after you have mixed it up with your favorite liquid (like milk, almond milk or water etc) it can really thicken up making it difficult to drink if left too long.
Of course, you want it to thicken up so as to help you feel fuller longer, but not so much that it’s hard to drink.
If this has been a problem for you in the past then you should consider using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein as it has the consistency of whey protein and only starts to thicken up in the presents of stomach acid.
Click here for MuscleTech Platinum Casein discounts and customer reviews.
What is Casein Protein?
Milk and dairy products have two main types of proteins in them: whey and casein. “Curds and whey” is a very commonly used phrase that you may possibly have heard, and it refers to these two protein types.
Casein is the protein that forms as “curds” or globules, and is used slightly for various purposes. On the other hand, whey protein refers to the liquid fraction that is dried into the common whey protein powders that most people are familiar with.
Casein is usually overshadowed by its more popular brother, and can at times go unnoticed by individuals who could be benefit from it greatly. There are numerous reasons as to why people need to take casein and numerous reasons why people should take whey protein, and numerous reasons why people ought to take them both!
While whey protein has its place and benefits, there are a host of benefits of using casein protein powder too and we will go over some in the next part before moving further in this casein protein powder review.
Benefits of Casein Protein
One of the main functions of casein, as with any protein, is to aid the body in the buildup and repair of muscles. It also plays a very significant role in fat loss. But, there is a small difference in how it gets this important job done compared to the soy, whey, or any other meat or plant based protein.
The major benefit of casein is that it is digested far slower compared to whey protein. This therefore makes it an ideal alternative when you are looking for something that will keep you feeling full for longer, or want a protein source, which will provide a sustained release of essential amino acids into your bloodstream when you are sleeping.
Not only does this prevent your body from shutting down the vital muscle building process but it keeps your body nourished, and replenishes and repairs the muscles. Always have this in mind when choosing the appropriate time to take your casein protein.
Casein Protein vs. Typical Protein
Is casein better than typical protein? Yes! Casein takes long for it to be digested, meaning that one feel fuller for a longer time compared to when they have taken typical protein. Casein is also very rich in dairy calcium and this isn’t the case with typical protein. Calcium is essential in the growth and development of bones and teeth.
However, typical protein tends to be the better choice when you one is trying to get amino acids into their bloodstream quickly. Aside from that, typical protein is also ideal for people with gas problems as opposed to casein which has a high lactose percentage. Lactose is known to cause bloating and other gas problems as well.
When to Take Casein Protein
As previously stated, casein digests slowly so you need to take that into consideration when deciding when to take it. As with most other supplements, it doesn’t really matter a lot when you take casein, since your body will have to absorb it anyway. However, since casein protein is very slow digested, there are several recommended times during when you can get the most out of it.
- A few hours before going to work out: It will provide you with nourishment and energy, and can also keep you from feeling worn-out at the gym.
- Immediately you wake up, and this should be right before taking breakfast.
- Immediately after you have worked out
- Right before heading to bed: In fact, this is a very appropriate time because your body will be without food for close to 8 hours, and hence some slow digesting protein will do great.
Sources of Casein Protein
Casein is found in milk, (milk is composed up of 20% whey protein and 80% casein protein) thus it is found in any products stemming from that. Here is a quick list of some of the foods that are known to harbor high casein protein content.
- Milk (80% casein)
- Cottage cheese
- Hard cheese (any type)
- Regular yogurt
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Pudding
Why You Should Consider Buying Casein Protein
This is a question that gets brought up many times. Do you require an actual casein powder? Can’t you just get it from the natural sources?
The answer is no and yes. It is not all people who need casein protein but there those who should definitely consider it, and who may gain more benefits once they start adding it to their daily diet.
If you are an athlete you can greatly benefit from casein, and this ranges from football players, to powerlifters to bodybuilders. If you are engaged in extreme daily physical activities, then chances are that you will definitely benefit a lot from casein protein powder.
Individuals who don’t consume enough dairy products can as well benefit from casein supplementation as they are not deriving it from natural resources.
Finally, anyone struggling with protein proficiency ought to consider buying casein protein. In fact, if your doctor recommends a protein supplement, then you casein protein can’t go wrong with you.
However, if you don’t have any goals in mind, working hard, or training for something then you most probably don’t need it.
Choosing the Right Casein Protein Supplement
There are several things to consider when choosing casein protein supplements. If you have never bought a protein supplement before, here is what you need to put into consideration:
- The manufacturers overall production
- Brand reputation
- Flavor and available tastes
- Customer feedback and various user reviews
- Level of trust that customers portray to the supplement
- Convenience in product distribution
- Pricing
There is quite a lot of variation in terms of value for money and purity of the casein protein supplements, available in the market today. However, if you put the above considerations into good use, you can be sure that the supplement you buy will deliver a healthy dose of case protein.
Have in mind that going for the best supplements doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to pay more on the basis of dollar-per-pound. The key lies in paying more attention to the additional ingredients that might help things like performance in the gym and digestion, as well as the amount of casein protein in each serving.
Best Tasting Casein Protein Powder
One of the biggest issues with Casein protein powder is getting a powder that tastes good. Most Casein protein powders don’t mix too readily with water and as such can feel a little gluggy to drink. A part from that Casein powder comes in most standard flavors, like Vanilla and Chocolate.
Obviously, there is going to be some debate about which flavor is the best and I think that this is really just personal preference.
Best Casein Protein for Females
There’s really no such thing as Casein protein that has been specifically designed for females. But I guess if there was a specific type of Casein protein powder then it would be one that is on the lower side of the caloric chart. Consuming adequate protein is the foundation of keeping lean muscle mass, but so is reducing your overall daily calorie intake.
Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Loss
As mentioned previously, there’s no specific Casein protein powder that has been designed for weight loss, however there are certain blends of protein powders that may aid in weight loss. Consuming a powder that is low in carbohydrates would help to keep the calories down as well as keep your insulin level low.
Best Whey Casein Protein Mix
There are various blend of both Casein and Whey protein powders out there, and a lot of bodybuilders take a diy approach and blend their own protein shakes. This allows them to get the best of both worlds. They get a fast absorbing protein (Whey) that feeds the muscles immediately and they also get a slow releasing protein that will help to feed the muscles over a longer period of time before you’re next meal.
Casein is rich in calcium, a mineral that builds up the bone content and teeth. In fact, 99 percent of your body’s calcium supply is stored in teeth and bones.
Numerous studies back the benefits of casein intake on cardiovascular health and blood pressure.
A study by the International Journal of Obesity showed that participants who combined high calcium intake and normal protein intake had 350 KJ per day more energy and fecal fat excretion.
Though not widely known, a study conducted in Australia affirmed that Casein promotes colon health better than other proteins such as soy and meat protein.