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You are what you eat. It’s been known for a long time. (You big cheesecake)
If you want to be covered in lean muscle, then you need to eat lots of lean muscle, sorry I mean, lots of protein packed lean foods.
More specifically, you need to eat the right sort of protein AND at the right times.
Fast-acting protein, typically whey protein, is great for during the day, when you’re gearing up for a workout or recovering from it, but night-time is different.
Your hard-working muscles use your sleep time to repair themselves, you want to help them out by giving them a supply of protein which will last them all night long. Step forward casein (applause)
The body digests casein at about half the rate at which it digests whey (5g per hour compared to 8-10g per hour), which means that an equivalent serving will last about twice as long and hence is perfect for overnight use.
As an added bonus, casein is rich in the amino acid glutamine, which plays a crucial role in muscle recovery and with all that it's important to get the Best Casein Protein UK to enable you to get all the benefits in a shake you can enjoy
Sources of casein protein
Casein is a component of milk, so one way to get a supply of it is to eat lots of dairy products.
This is probably a reasonable approach for people leading a moderately-active lifestyle, but is likely to be hugely impractical for anyone working out hard, whether it’s to build lean muscle or for general endurance training.
This is why casein protein supplements are a staple of the major health-and-fitness ranges.
They generally come in two forms, pure casein and casein blends. As a rule of thumb, the former is better for nighttime use and the latter for the day.
Depending on how much casein is in the blend, they may be good breakfast drinks to keep you fuelled throughout the day, with top-ups as appropriate, or they may be better as pre-/post-workout drinks.
Unlike whey protein, which is available in bar form, casein supplements are typically powders.
Read Our Review Of The Best Whey Protein PowdersBest Casein Protein UK
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
Nutrition Breakdown
It’s Optimum Nutrition, the name pretty much speaks for itself. Each 33g serving contains 24g of protein derived from all-micellar casein. It also has 3g of carbohydrates, minimal fat and zero added sugar, plus there is an impressive 9g of essential amino acids.
Optimum Nutrition has long since grasped the fact that people prefer products which taste good as well as performing well and they offer by far the biggest range of flavours.
You can choose from: chocolate supreme, creamy vanilla, banana cream, cookies ‘n’ cream, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein Slow Digesting Protein Powder Shake with Glutamine...
- SLOW-DIGESTING PROTEIN powder FORTIFIED with zinc which contributes to a healthy immune system and magnesium to support normal protein synthesis
- The ready-to-mix powder provides a source of slow digesting protein to support muscle growth and repair*
- SLOW-DIGESTING PROTEIN powder FORTIFIED with zinc which contributes to a healthy immune system and magnesium to support normal protein synthesis
- The ready-to-mix powder provides a source of slow digesting protein to support muscle growth and repair*
- Each serving contains 24 g of premium micellar casein protein that provides your body with a slow and steady FLOW OF AMINO ACIDS OVERNIGHT
- This protein powder contains 10 g of naturally occurring essential amino acids with low sugar in each serving
- A PROTEIN source for athletes & fitness enthusiasts; to enjoy, add 1 heaped scoop to 300 ml of cold water and stir, shake or blend until dissolved
- *Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. To be used in the framework of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Source: Official Journal of the European Union - COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 432/2012
Optimum Nutrition Platinum Tri-Celle Casein
Nutritional Information
Optimum Nutrition may be one of the longest-established brands in the health-and-fitness world, but they’re also one of the most innovative.
Each 43g serving of Platinum Tri-Celle Casein delivers an impressive 30g of protein from restructures micellar casein.
Restructured means that the casein molecules have been reengineered to make them three times bigger than their everyday counterparts, thereby making for an even slower release of its amino acid goodness.
One corollary of this is that Optimum Nutrition Platinum Tri-Celle Casein makes a seriously thick shake, so if you usually take your shakes with milk, you might want to try out water first for this one unless you’re absolutely sure you want a really rich, filling drink.
Available flavours are chocolate decadence, strawberry indulgence and vanilla bliss.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein Protein Powder, Strawberry Cream, 909 g
- PACKAGING MAY VARY
- SLOW DIGESTING
- MICELLAR CASEIN
- PACKAGING MAY VARY
- SLOW DIGESTING
- MICELLAR CASEIN
Dymatize Nutrition Elite Casein
Nutritional Information
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Each 35g serving provides 24g of protein derived from a combination of micellar casein and calcium caseinate.
The presence of the latter means that this product provides a helpful amount of calcium for strong bones.
It is also a rich source of amino acids. Elite Casein scores particularly well on taste being available in: cinnamon bun, cookies & cream, rich chocolate and smooth vanilla.
This is one of the more affordable casein protein supplements out there and still provides a very respectable level of performance.
Dymatize Nutrition Casein
- 25 grams of protein from 100% Micellar Casein, a sustained-absorbing protein for prolonged muscle support
- 5 grams of BCAAs, including 2.3 grams of L-leucine per serving for muscle support and recovery
- Ideal for overnight sustained muscle growth and repair, or other extended periods of time between meals
- 25 grams of protein from 100% Micellar Casein, a sustained-absorbing protein for prolonged muscle support
- 5 grams of BCAAs, including 2.3 grams of L-leucine per serving for muscle support and recovery
- Ideal for overnight sustained muscle growth and repair, or other extended periods of time between meals
- Provides a sustained release of muscle building amino acids to support muscle growth and recovery
- 4 lbs of dymatize elite 100% Micellar Casein rich chocolate protein powder (50 Servings)
MusclePharm Combat 100% Casein
Nutritional Information
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Each 34.5g serving contains 28g of protein from 100% micellar casein and what makes this product distinctive is the addition of a digestive enzyme blend, which aids in the release of the protein and helps combat the feelings of bloat and gas which some people can experience when they eat a high-protein diet.
There are also plenty of vitamins and minerals and an outstanding amino acid profile. Combat 100% Casein is gluten free and although it’s only available in two flavours, chocolate milk and vanilla, the taste does get good review.
The only downside to this product is that it comes with an allergens warning which states: “CONTAINS MILK. Made in a facility that may also process egg, soy, tree nuts, sesame, peanuts, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, and wheat products.”
While this does look like a “catch-all” statement to protect MusclePharm from potential lawsuits, it is still bad news for allergy-sufferers looking for a product which is safe for them to use.
Musclepharm 1814 g Chocolate Milk Combat 100 Percent Casein
- 28g Protein
- Repair & Rebuild
- 100% Micellar Casein
- Take Before Bed
- Digestive Enzyme Blend
- 28g Protein
- Repair & Rebuild
- 100% Micellar Casein
- Take Before Bed
- Digestive Enzyme Blend
MuscleTech Platinum Casein
Nutritional Information
Supplement Facts | ||
Serving Size: 1 Scoop (31 g) | ||
Servings Per Container: Approx. 27 | ||
Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
Calories | 110 | |
Calories from Fat | 5 | |
Total Fat | 1 g | 2%* |
Saturated Fat | 0.5 g | 3%* |
Trans Fat | 0 g | † |
Cholesterol | 45 mg | 15% |
Total Carbohydrate | 2 g | 1%* |
Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 4%* |
Sugar | 1 g | † |
Protein | 24 g | 48%* |
Iron | 0.74 mg | 4% |
Calcium | 570 mg | 57% |
Sodium | 200 mg | 8% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. †Daily Values not established. |
Exact nutritional values for this product depend on the flavour, but the serving size is around 30g and it delivers around 24g of protein, 5g of BCAAs and 5g of glutamine and precursor.
The protein is a blend of alpha, beta and kappa casein protein. MuscleTech uses ultra-pure, cold-processed microfiltered casein micelles and filters out lactose, ash and fat.
In addition to doing you good, it also tastes very good and is available in three flavours: gourmet milk chocolate, strawberry shortcake and vanilla ice cream.
Platinum Casein is at the upper end of the price range, but if you’re looking for the highest possible performance then this is an investment purchase.
Muscletech - 100% Platinum Casein - 3.75 lbs (1.70kg) - Milk Chocolate
Universal Nutrition Casein Pro
Nutritional Information
Universal Nutrition is another company which has made a respected name for itself in the health and fitness world. Each 33g serving of Casein Pro provides 24g of protein from micellar casein. It’s available in four flavours: chocolate milkshake, chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream and vanilla soft serve. All of these seem to get the thumbs up from most users as does its mixing ability and consistency.
Universal Nutrition Casein Pro Cookies and Cream, 1.8 kg
- Universal Nutrition Casein Pro is a cutting edge protein powder consisting of 100% micellar casein protein only
- With no inferior proteins blended in, each scoop of Casein Pro provides 24 grams of the purest micellar casein in the world
- Universal Nutrition Casein Pro is a cutting edge protein powder consisting of 100% micellar casein protein only
- With no inferior proteins blended in, each scoop of Casein Pro provides 24 grams of the purest micellar casein in the world
- Each and every delicious scoop of Casein Pro helps aid in triggering muscle anabolism and staving off muscle catabolism around the clock
Best Casein Protein UK
When you’re looking for the right casein protein for you there are four key factors to consider.
Quality of the ingredients
All of the products in our list score here, that’s one of the reasons why they’re in our list.
Value for money
In our opinion, all the products in our list score here too, again that’s one of the reasons why they’re in our list.
Taste and texture
This one is totally individual. If you’re fine with the old favourites of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and banana, you should be able to use pretty much any product you want. If you crave something different, head to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein, which has by far the biggest and most diverse range of flavours.
Level and nature of protein
If you want absolute optimum performance, then you’re going to have to invest in a super-premium brand, but we know that some people are perfectly happy with a lower level of protein at a more affordable price, which is why we’ve included a couple of “lighter” options. Like taste and texture, this is all about working out what you want and need.
Here's the best sellers on Amazon for the Best Casein Protein UK
Jeff is a medium-sized private gym owner that has itself over 100 members and is our equipment reviewer. If it builds muscle, gets you fit or pretends to be healthy, Jeff knows all about it. Worked with Fitness Superstore as a buyer for 10 years. Seriously BIG guy with a heart to match. Always laughing and looking for a windup. Literally always eating