4 Best Protein Powders to Lower Cholesterol in 2024
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 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 Whey Protein Isolate
- Naked Whey Protein Powder
- Promix Whey Protein Isolate Powder
- Isopure Whey Isolate Protein Powder
| Product | Total | Macronutrient value | Taste/Flavor | Nutrition Label Transparency | Fat Content Transparency | Mixability | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent Labs | 57 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Naked | 55 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Promix | 53.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Isopure | 51.5 | 8.5 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
1. Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
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.
The single protein sources used in Transparent Labs powder are 100% grass-fed, hormone-free American cows.
Positives:
Could be better:
2. Naked Whey Protein Powder
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.
Naked Nutrition goes for the tried and true strategy of “less is more”, with most of their 50 products having three or fewer ingredients.
Positives:
Could be better:
3. Promix Whey Protein Isolate Powder
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.
As much as 94% of the ingredients used in Promix products are sourced from North America and can be batch-code verified.
Positives:
Could be better:
4. Isopure Whey Isolate Protein Powder
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.
Isopure intake is easy to calculate into your nutrition counter and calendar as it provides exactly 100 calories per serving.
Positives:
Could be better:
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
When you started working out, hopefully, you did a general medical exam.
If not, that’s okay, better now than never.
Before you choose your no cholesterol protein powder, you need to have a full health assessment to screen for any illness or conditions that may interfere with your training and diet.
Tips From the Champ
The things you need to look out for include Cardiovascular related diseases (CVDs) such as high blood pressure and proneness to heart issues. You can only get so much information by reading the labels, asking over the counter, or searching the internet.
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Nutrition Values
What’s best for you will depend on your preferences, fitness goals and digestive comfort.
I’ve highlighted the most important information for each powder, such as basic nutritive values, to help you make the best purchasing decision.
If you require more information, refer to the nutrition facts labels attached to every container.
Don’t dismiss a product just because it says “sugar, fat, cholesterol” on the label. These are nutrients found in whole food, not just in protein supplements.
For example, the dietary cholesterol in protein powder and from whole foods has little to no effect on blood cholesterol levels in most people. In fact, blood cholesterol is much more affected by saturated fat, which may not be present at all in a serving of protein if it has no fat.
So when a powder says “whey protein with low cholesterol”, it tells us nothing special.
For maximum nutrition benefits, make sure your portions are in accordance with the food label.
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.
FAQs
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.
Also Read:
- Best Low Sodium Protein Powder
- Best Protein Powder With Caffeine
- Best Protein Powder For People Over 50
- Whey Protein Concentrate vs Isolate
- Best Flavorless Protein Powder
- Mass Gainer vs Whey Protein
- Best Protein Powder For Teens
- Protein Powder vs Protein Shake
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
Why Trust Us?
With over 20 years in Olympic Weightlifting, our team does its best to provide the audience with ultimate support and meet the needs and requirements of advanced athletes and professional lifters, as well as people who strive to open new opportunities and develop their physical capabilities with us.
All products we select are primarily approved and tested by the Olympic Weightlifting Champion Oleksii Torokhtiy. Under his guidance, we provide honest and reasonable assessments of the products we review by checking their characteristics, packaging, design, comfort and durability features, and general product rating. We select products from only high-quality and trusted sports brands, thus vouching for their quality.
The product testing process is described in more detail here
Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko
Certified Sports Nutritionist,
MSc Sports Dietetics
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist certified by the Fitness Professional Association (FPA). He follows the principles of evidence-based dietetics and fosters a healthy relationship with food in his clients, ensuring there are no strict prohibitions on their favorite foods or frequent lapses. His primary goal is not only to achieve results for you but also to sustain them over the long term, all while enjoying tasty and delicious food.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiries considering product reviews, you can reach out to us via email – [email protected]
