Protein supplements are among the most commonly used supplements across the world. Whether you’re a bodybuilder or a track-and-field athlete, protein adds or maintains muscle for athletic performance. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger highlighted something that the average bodybuilding enthusiast might miss easily. In fact, it’s a detail most brands don’t even disclose.

Among the different protein supplements, whey protein is arguably the most popular. Whey Protein comes in either concentrate or isolate form. Since concentrates are often cheaper than isolates, more people buy the former. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that while consuming concentrates, you may not be getting as much protein as advertised.

“If you use a whey protein concentrate, you might be getting much less protein than you think,” Arnie wrote in his newsletter. While he claimed that whey protein concentrate was a high-quality supplement, “many loopholes in the supplement industry,” enable companies to deliver low-quality products. Unfortunately for the consumer, the supplement industry remains unregulated.

Arnold Schwarzenegger explained, “You can think of ‘concentrate’ as a way to grade the purity of a protein.” The Austrian Oak further elaborated that concentrates can be 20% to 80% protein by weight, but companies aren’t required to disclose the exact amount their product contains. So even though one may claim to have 20gm protein per scoop, it would be much less.

 “If the product uses WPC20,” wrote Arnold Schwarzenegger, then you get only 20% of 20gm, which means just 4gm absorbable protein per serving. However, The Terminator explained that you can spend your money wisely by buying from brands that are certified by Informed-Sport or NSF Certified for Sport. There are other reputed certifications as well.

Labdoor, Informed Choice, and the newly launched Informed Protein are among the most reputed certifications for purity. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger also provided another solution if you’re still unsure.

Arnold Schwarzenegger always has a plan-b

After once stating that there is nothing inherently wrong with whey protein concentrates, Arnie suggests the alternative. “You could buy a whey protein isolate,” advised Schwarzenegger. Yet, you ask what ensures isolate wouldn’t have a loophole? Schwarzenegger had the answer. Whey protein isolate “is standardized at a minimum of 90 percent protein by weight,” he wrote.

Whey protein isolates offer more protein content by weight than concentrate, while having lower carbs, fats, and lactose. They also digest better after than concentrate. However, concentrate and isolate have their uses. Besides being cheaper, concentrates provide higher calories, carbs, and fat, contributing to overall calorie goals. They also digest slower making you feel satiated for longer.

Although this unfortunate loophole exists, Arnold Schwarzenegger explained a way you could be at ease while buying these supplements. While the government doesn’t regulate supplements, third-party testing exists.