Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
Protein powders have come a long way from being simple food additives used to boost your total protein intake.
Supplement companies create powders that fit different peoples’ needs - from building muscle, to improving overall health, and even losing weight.
Today I’ll help you find the best protein powder to lower cholesterol.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate.
Their cholesterol free protein powder is one of the best no-nonsense, simple science, built-for-athletes products on the market. The single protein sources used in this powder are 100% grass-fed, hormone-free American cows.
Our certified experts, nutritionists, and pro athletes have spent 3 weeks testing a total of 10 protein powders to lower cholesterol, and only 4 of them made it to this list.
Each protein powder was evaluated against 6 of the most important criteria, and along with the extensive testing process, we have also gone through hundreds of online user reviews. We update this lost all the time, so leave a comment, share your thoughts and let’s talk!
Top 4 Best Protein To Lower Cholesterol Reviewed
Transparent Labs is a brand that stands up to its name.
Their cholesterol free protein powder is one of the best no-nonsense, simple science, built-for-athletes products on the market.
The single protein sources used in this powder are 100% grass-fed, hormone-free American cows.
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle Building, Recovery, Weight Loss
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Serving size: 33-34.5 g
- Price per serving: ~$2
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 93% per serving
- Proteins: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 1-3 g (depending on the flavor)
- Fat: 0-1 g (depending on the flavor)
- Added Sugar: 0 g
- Company Founded (year): 2015
- Recommended By Athletes: Thor Bjornsson, Terron Beckham, Davey Fisher, Ryan Harden, Inayah
The product helps you easily reaching daily protein goals and helps with post-workout recovery and muscle building.
If you prefer products without additives, this protein is gluten and preservative free and doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners, food coloring, or GMOs.
The powder contains among the highest protein percent of calories (93%) at 28 grams of protein per 32-gram serving.
Positives:
GMO, Gluten-free, Additive-free (if that's important to you)
0-1 grams of fats
Eight interesting flavors to choose from
Could be better:
Not vegan-friendly
Only available in one small size, less affordable
The slogan of Naked Nutrition is “Look at us naked, we’ve got nothing to hide”.
It represents the company's pledge to maximum transparency on its product labels.
Even though the company is classified as a small local business, its products are top-of-the-line and reach a sizable market and attention online.
Out of 13,000 reviews on Amazon, the product has a 69% 5-star rating and averages a 4.4 total.
- Diet Type (best for): Building muscle, Recovery, Weight Loss
- Suitable for Vegans: No (Naked Nutrition vegan alternative)
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Serving size: 30 g
- Price per serving: ~$1.5
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 83% per serving
- Proteins: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fat: 2 g
- Added Sugar: 0 g (for unflavored)
- Company Founded (year): 2014
- Recommended By Athletes: Lalo Torres, Jiliana White, Pat James
This protein powder with low cholesterol is made from free-roaming American (California and N. Idaho) grass-fed cows.
Naked Nutrition goes for the tried and true strategy of “less is more”, with most of their 50 products having three or fewer ingredients.
They offer only basic flavors, however “unflavored” is also an option you can choose, which offers the rawest possible protein and lowest calories per serving.
It is available in two sizes, a 1-pound and a 5-pound package.
The smaller package promises around 16 servings, while the larger offers around 76.
Positives:
Very detailed and descriptive product label
- Additive free (for those it matters to)
- Made in the USA
Could be better:
Noticeably higher price compared to similar products
Raw texture makes it harder to mix in
Promix offers quality all-natural whey protein from grass-fed cows.
Their powder is a zero-additive supplement designed by and for professional athletes and fitness experts.
It’s a good addition to your nutritious post-workout meals, shakes, smoothies, snacks, and more.
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle building, Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No (Promix vegan alternative)
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Serving size: 44 g
- Price per serving: ~$1.3
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 77%
- Proteins: 31 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fat: 1.5 g
- Added Sugar: 5 g for flavored options
- Company Founded (year): 2011
- Recommended By Athletes: Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL Super Bowl 2021 winner), DJ Sackmann (NBA coach), Paulo Miyao (IBJJF and UAEJJF World Champion), Chelsey Wilkens (Cornell certified nutritionist)
As much as 94% of the ingredients used in Promix products are sourced from North America and can be batch-code verified.
If it’s the sort of thing you care about, Promix products are all free of gluten and GMOs.
They also contain no processed sugars or artificial sweeteners, hormones, food coloring or flavoring, etc.
The company is a certified “1% for the Planet” partner and the products are made in facilities in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
Positives:
Made by and for athletes
Most transparent content labels
Fine texture for easy mixing
Could be better:
Currently only available in chocolate, vanilla, and flavorless
More carbohydrates compared to others (which is not suitable for everyone)
Isopure is the longest-standing company on this list with nearly four decades of experience in the food supplement business.
Their products are some of the best raw protein supplements on the market.
The powder is virtually odorless and flavorless, so it goes fairly unnoticed in meals or drinks.
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle building, Cutting, Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey protein isolate
- Serving size: 29 g
- Price per serving: ~$1.7
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 100%
- Proteins: 25 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Added Sugar: 0 g
- Company Founded (year): 1984
- Recommended By Athletes: Thomas DeLauer (Performance & Nutrition Trainer), Gregory Choplin (Muay Thai World Champion), Whitney Davis (Yoga instructor), Marco Arrieta
Isopure Unflavored Isolate contains zero carbs, sugars, or fats, and contains added Zinc and Vitamin C for increased immuno-support.
The product contains only two ingredients - the whey protein isolate and soy lecithin (for creamy texture).
Isopure intake is easy to calculate into your nutrition counter and calendar as it provides exactly 100 calories per serving.
This pure protein powder will easily mix in whatever preparation method you prefer - drink or food.
Positives:
Pure protein powder
Excellent protein to calories ratio per serving
Easy to mix
Flavorless and odorless means it seamlessly blends into any food or drinks
Could be better:
Raw protein taste
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Does Protein Powder Help Lower Cholesterol?
Studies have shown that regular usage of protein powder in meals and drinks has various health benefits, including lowering cholesterol.
A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that whey protein can lower total cholesterol, blood pressure and improves endothelial function and lipid biomarkers in adults with prehypertension and mild hypertension.
Another study published in the National Library of Medicine showed that consumption of whey protein resulted in a significant reduction in total cholesterol and improved the ratio between “bad” (LDL) and “good” (HDL) cholesterol levels.
The study further concluded whey protein had a beneficial effect on several indicators of glycemic control (diabetes prevention) and total cholesterol in patients with metabolic syndrome. This is a cluster of conditions that occur together, increasing your risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. These conditions include increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
So lowering your cholesterol levels offers serious long and short-term health benefits including the prevention of strokes and heart diseases.
However, at the end of the day, studies are only there to learn from.
I must say that the biggest factor in cholesterol reduction happens to be your habits, and not so much the supplements you use.
The fact that you’re even using protein powder suggests that you’re already taking care of your body by working out regularly and eating healthy, and that’s the biggest cholesterol and heart-disease preventer you can get for yourself, so good job.
How to Find the Best Protein to Lower Cholesterol?
I’ve already shown you the data and studies, here are a few more points you need to consider before making your purchase:
1. Health and Safety
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Nutrition Values
3. Personal Preferences
There’s not a single best low cholesterol protein powder out there.
At the end of the day, companies will adhere to various standards to reach a specific target consumer base.
In other words, there’s a product out there for everyone.
If you’re vegan and/or environmentally conscious, for example, your product standards may drastically differ from others.
Plenty of protein powders come in a variety of labels such as gluten-free, lactose-free, keto-friendly, 100% organic, etc.
Some people care mostly about things like price, flavor, or texture and that’s okay too.
All of these supplements are meant to help you improve your workouts and well-being, and that includes lowering your cholesterol as a part of a whole strategy.
FAQ
Can I Eat Protein Powder with High Cholesterol?
Dietary cholesterol found in protein powders and whole foods have little to no effect on blood cholesterol for most healthy people.
In fact, protein powder has shown a positive impact on cholesterol levels.
Can whey protein lower your cholesterol?
Absolutely.
Studies have shown that regularly consuming whey protein can lower cholesterol and improve your cardiovascular and overall health.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, picking out the right protein powder not only improves your workout but your overall health as well.
Currently, my favorite whey protein to reduce cholesterol is Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.
Do you use any pre or post-workout supplements?
Have you tried any of my top recommendations?
Leave a comment below or let me know on social media pages.
References:
- Whey protein lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function and lipid biomarkers in adults with prehypertension and mild hypertension: results from the chronic Whey2Go randomized controlled trial // The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/104/6/1534/4564684?
- Effects of whey protein on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7504833/
- LDL Cholesterol // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ldl-cholesterol-the-bad-cholesterol
- HDL Cholesterol: The Good Cholesterol // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/hdl-cholesterol-the-good-cholesterol
- An all-encompassing guide to understanding stroke // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/stroke/default.htm
- Trusted, comprehensive information and resources for your heart disease journey // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/default.htm
- All Photos made by Torokhtiy Media Team
Why Trust Us?
Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.
Rickymcleod
Ihave been taking a whey protein supplement for over 6 mos. Does nothing for muscle strength or muscle mass, the person who says different is ignorant.