SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate Review

Getting an ideal dose of protein each day is key to building muscle and getting the most out of your workouts.

In this review, we’ll evaluate a new kid on the block — SHIFTED’s newly launched line of whey protein isolate powders.

SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate Supplement—Key Takeaways

• Whey Protein Isolate supplements provide a convenient way for fitness enthusiasts to achieve optimal protein intake on a daily basis.
  
• We found that many of the top protein powder brands overcharge for products.
  
• In our search for the best whey protein product, we landed on SHIFTED’s newly launched line of WPI.

SHIFTED WPI: The Best Whey Protein Isolate Powder for Building Muscle, Digestion, and More

When you invest your time, energy, and effort into working out, you want to see improvement.

Finding an effective and reliable protein supplement is a great way to keep your body in peak condition, particularly if your goal is to build muscle.

And after testing SHIFTED’s whey protein isolate project extensively within our team, we think it’s one of the best of its kind.

That’s a big statement and the product isn’t perfect, so let’s dive into the nitty gritty of the review. Or, you could go ahead and try it out for yourself!

What to Consider Before Buying Whey Protein Isolate Powder

Our goal with this review is to help you decide whether SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate is right for you.

To accomplish this we evaluate this product according to the following metrics:

• Flavor
• Value
• Strength of the Formula
• Quality Ingredients
• Overall Experience

A protein powder that scores high across these metrics is a winner in our books, and SHIFTED WPI does just that.

Whey Protein vs Whey Protein Isolate: Which is Better?

To set the stage for our review of SHIFTED’s whey protein isolate, let’s first clear something up.

The difference between whey protein and why protein isolate is a subtle but important distinction.

While whey protein and whey protein isolate are both derived from the same milk concentration, whey protein isolate undergoes a filtration process to remove the lactose from the whey protein powder.

This makes whey protein isolate (WPI) a more pure form of protein powder. And for obvious reasons, whey protein isolate is the safest option for those who lactose intolerant.

Here’s a quick rundown of the benefits of choosing a lactose free protein powder:

• Fewer calories
• Easily digestible
• Less bloating

Key Takeaway: Whey protein isolate is a cleaner and more pure form of protein that is considered to be an objectively superior product by many.

SHIFTED WPI Supplement Review Score: 48/50

Flavor: 10/10

Available in two flavors (Chocolate Milk, Cookies and Cream), we found SHIFTED WPI to be a treat. It’s about as close as we have come to finding a protein powder drink that tastes like a desert without having an absurd sugar content. In fact, both flavors contain only .5 grams of sugar per serving!

Value: 8/10

SHIFTED WPI comes in at a price point that closely in line with industry averages. Priced at $39.95, SHIFTED’s line of protein powders are not cheap but they are not overpriced either. And offering a product based on 20 servings was a smart move in our opinion, as most avid gym goers won’t be taking protein powders every single day. This means a 20 serving product aligns more closely with what most individuals will use during a month.

Strength of formula: 10/10

Beyond the obvious–being jam-packed with quality whey protein –SHIFTED’s WPI offers a comprehensive amino acid profile including both essential amino acids and branched chain amino acids (more on that in a bit).

Quality of ingredients: 10/10

Every ingredient in SHIFTED WPI serves a distinct purpose and there is no filler ingredients. There are no proprietary blends here, just a strategic combination of high-quality ingredients backed by science.

Experience: 10/10

The combination of a great taste and optimally dosed protein complete with amino acids make this product both enjoyable and effective. We think this product is ideal for you if you want to build lean muscle mass quickly with a whey protein isolate powder that you’ll look forward to drink every day.

Health Benefits of SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate Powder

Because SHIFTED WPI offers a full compliment of amino acids, it offers health benefits that other protein powders may not.

Some of these benefits are obvious while others might surprise you!

Let’s explore them:

• Promotes lean muscle growth – In fact, studies show that whey protein isolate is more effective at promoting muscle building after exercise than other forms of protein.
  
• May lower blood pressure – One clinical study demonstrated a marked decrease in blood pressure after supplementing 22 grams of whey protein per day for six weeks (you get 25 grams with each dose of SHIFTED WPI!).
  
• May help treat type 2 diabetes – Studies demonstrate that whey protein isolate is effective at moderating blood sugar in both healthy individuals and individuals with type 2 diabetes. Whey protein isolate offers this benefit both by increasing levels of insulin in the blood as well as increasing sensitivity to it.
  
• May reduce inflammation – One study demonstrated that whey protein supplementation of 20 grams per day resulted in a significant drop in inflammation markers in the body. Specifically, whey protein supplements may reduce what’s called C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a key player in inflammation.
  
• May increase antioxidants – The branched chain amino acids in SHIFTED WPI may increase the body’s natural stores of antioxidants, which reduce the rate of oxidation in the body and help prevent chronic diseases.
  
• May lower cholesterol – LDL Cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol) has been linked to heart disease. One clinical study demonstrated that when overweight individuals supplemented with 65 grams of protein daily, they demonstrated a significant drop in bad cholesterol.
  
• May curb appetite and help you lose weight – 25 grams of protein isolate is no joke! Drinking this protein drink daily can help to curb your appetite and keep your diet on track.

What Makes SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate Special?

What really makes SHIFTED WPI special is that it was formulated by a specialist, who has dedicated his life to understanding exercise performance and the human body at a molecular level.

Dr. Adam Gonzalez holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology and is the mind behind SHIFTED’s product formulation. We love knowing that this whey protein product was made by one of the true experts in the industry.

Additionally, we see clear value in this whey protein product that’s missing in competitors.

We think the stand out value of SHIFTED WPI is in these three factors:

• Both flavors taste great with almost no sugar (less than 1g), which is crucial for a product meant to be taken regularly.
• You’ll get an optimal dose of protein, which is key to getting the most out of your fitness regimen (particularly if you’re looking to build muscle!).
• You’ll experience ideal protein synthesis, which means your muscles will perform better when you need them.

These first two points are somewhat obvious, but the third point warrants deeper explanation.

Recovery from Exercise and Stimulation of Muscle Protein Synthesis

The quality whey protein offered fuels muscle gain, but there’s more going on here than you might think.

The body’s process for building and synthesizing new muscle tissue is complex. But to simplify it, you can think of it like this — there’s fuel and there’s building blocks.

Whey protein isolate is the fuel for muscle growth, while the amino acids are the building blocks. What does this mean?

Let’s find out.

Amino Acids in SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate

Amino acids are the molecules that join together to form proteins. As result, all whey protein isolate products contain amino acids, since protein is literally made up of amino acids.

But lower quality protein powders will not offer a full regimen of amino acids.

SHIFTED’s impressive amino acid profile is what makes it stand out from the competition. So let’s explore the amino acids included in the formula and what each of them does.

Essential Amino Acids in SHIFTED WPI

Essential amino acids are those that are essential for a healthy lifestyle, meaning that the body cannot synthesize it by itself.

In other words, essential amino acids can only be obtained through a healthy diet and/or supplementation.

• Leucine is an essential branched chain amino acid (BCAA) that is used in skeletal muscle tissue to generate energy. Studies indicate that leucine is effective at facilitating muscle gain and improving muscle recovery after exercise.
  
• Isoleucine is another branched chain amino acid. It is one of the less studied BCAAs, but researchers believe it plays a vital role in glucose consumption and maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar and energy.
  
• Valine is the third of three branched chain amino acids offered in SHIFTED WPI. Researchers suggest that it is vital in the repair of muscle tissue and facilitates better endurance during exercise.
  
• Histidine is an essential amino acid that’s responsible for tissue repair and growth, which are both vital aspects of muscle performance.
  
• Lysine and its benefits are less clear beyond it contributing to protein synthesis, though some sources suggest it also contributes to strengthening the body’s immune system. As such, some individuals use lysine to treat cold sores.
  
• Methionine may be the ingredient responsible for the antioxidizing effects of whey protein isolate. Methionine has been shown to reduce oxidation in the body and may even contribute to detoxifying the blood.
  
• Phenylalanine plays a key role in protein development, but also has been linked to dopamine production. As such, adding phenylalanine to your protein supplement regimen may keep you in a good mood throughout your visit to the gym.
  
• Threonine is responsible for regulating unwanted spastic muscle contractions (spasticity), which means it may help to ensure that you get full muscle extensions and contractions during your workouts.
  
• Tryptophan has been shown to help regulate the vital neurotransmitter, serotonin, which is responsible for mood regulation and healthy sleep cycles.

Key Takeaway: These essential amino acids must be obtained by either supplementation or a healthy balanced diet. By getting them all in your whey protein supplement, you’re ensuring your body operates in peak condition with minimal effort.

Non-Essential Amino Acids in SHIFTED WPI

Non-essential amino acids are a group of amino acids that are naturally synthesized in the human body. However, to ensure you maintain optimal levels of them, supplementing them is a good idea.

• Aspartic Acid is linked to hormone production and normal nervous system functions.
  
• Serine and its functions are less clear, but researchers believe it contributes to healthy cognitive function which has led some individuals to use it in treatment of mental illness. The validity of this application has yet to be substantiated though.
  
• Glutamic Acid is thought to be linked to how the brain sends and receives signals to other parts of the body.
  
• Glycine is a crucial precursor to glutathione, which is one of the body’s strongest antioxidants that’s needed to fight oxidative stress and prevent chronic disease. Glycine is an interesting one with many other potential benefits!
  
• Alanine has been shown to regulate blood sugar and thus may be helpful to individuals struggling with type 2 diabetes.
  
• Tyrosine contributes to the production and regulation of important neurotransmitters including dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. As such, supplementing Tyrosine is a great way to keep your mood and mental state in great condition.
  
• Arginine has been linked to the body’s growth hormone and healthy insulin levels.
  
• Proline is thought to have healing properties, particularly in the case of healing the skin though this needs more study to be understood.
  
• Cystine is associated with many benefits such as lung health and a healthy immune system, though more study is required for these interactions to be better understood.

Key Takeaway: While these amino acids are non-essential and can be maintained through a healthy diet, keeping them at optimal levels with no extra effort is an added bonus of supplementing with whey protein.

Who Should Try SHIFTED’s Whey Protein Isolate?

We think this product is ideal for those who want to build muscle mass and push themselves in the gym. It’s also great for individuals who want to ensure they are getting enough protein and amino acids each day.

Protein supplements must be taken regularly to be effective, and so SHIFTED’s WPI offers great taste and an approachable price tag which makes it great for this type of customer.

Who Should not Try SHIFTED’s Whey Protein Isolate?

Purchasing this product might be unnecessary for individuals who already maintain a high protein diet and are not concerned about their amino acid intake.

What are the Side Effects of SHIFTED Whey Protein Isolate?

There’s nothing in particular in this product that is cause for concern.

However, there are some side effects of whey protein supplements in general to be aware of. Particularly if your body is not accustomed to high daily protein intake, you will want to watch out for:

• Irregular bowel movements
• Sluggishness or sleepiness
• Reduced appetite
• Headache

It should be noted though that whey protein isolate is considered safe by the medical community. Moreover, it is thought to be safe to ingest up to 50 grams of whey protein isolate daily.

With SHIFTED WPI’s dose being on the lower end of this of this range, it should be more than fine for most people to take daily.

Key Point: As is appropriate when taking any new supplement, always monitor your body for negative reactions and consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

SHIFTED WPI Pros and Cons

The Pros

• Priced great at $39.95 for 25 grams of protein per serving, 18 amino acids per serving, and 20 servings per container.
  
• The chocolate milk and cookies and cream flavors are crowd pleasers that we looked forward to drinking every day.
  
• The full amino acid profile offered speaks to the quality of the protein contained in this product.

The Cons

• Some customers might prefer to have more servings in a single tub of whey protein isolate.
  
• Some might fight the price point less competitive than they would like.
  
• Because it’s a new line of products, there are only 2 flavors available at the time of this review.

What’s the Verdict?

SHIFTED’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Adam Gonzalez, over-delivered with this line of whey protein isolate products. Both flavors are phenomenal, the whey protein is top-tier quality, and the price is good enough to make it a high-value product.