Kaged Protein Isolate Elite Review

Protein Isolate Elite from Kaged is a premium protein powder launched in September 2023. It’s part of Kaged’s Elite Series of products. It combines three different protein sources: whey isolate, casein isolate, and milk protein isolate. This means it includes fast, medium, and slow digesting proteins for a steady supply of muscle-building amino acids.

Specifically, Protein Isolate Elite contains 15 grams of ioWhey, a trademarked form of whey that contains an over 100% increase in isoleucine, BCAA, and EAA bioavailability.

Of course, Protein Isolate Elite is delicious, as you’d expect from Kaged. I tried the cookies & cream flavor and it tastes just like an Oreo milkshake.

I’d recommend this product to anyone that wants a high quality whey protein powder. It’s also great for drug-tested athletes because it’s Informed Sport Certified, which means every single batch is 3rd party tested for banned substances.

Where to Buy

You can buy Kaged Protein Isolate Elite directly from Kaged and from GNC.

My Experience

Overall, I enjoyed Kaged Protein Isolate Elite and will definitely be finishing my tub. It’s earned a spot in my rotation of protein powders that I use with my daily breakfast shake.

Here’s a close up of how the protein powder looks in the scooper:

I mixed Protein Isolate Elite into my normal morning protein shake of milk, peanut butter powder, an egg, and oatmeal. It does mix up a little thicker than some other protein powders, so if you like your protein powders thick and creamy, you’ll be a fan of Protein Isolate Elite.

Flavor

The cookies & cream flavor tasted delicious, similar to an oreo milkshake. It was noticeable, but not overpowering. It definitely tasted less artificial than many other protein powders I’ve tried in the past.

Overall, thumbs up!

Ingredients

Kaged Protein Isolate Elite is Informed Sport Certified, meaning every batch is tested for accuracy and purity. This means that each tub contains exactly what it say it does and that it is free of any banned substances.

This makes it an excellent protein powder for athletes, especially those that compete in drug-tested competition.

Here’s a look at the ingredient panel:

Notably, this protein powder combines three different protein sources. This is the most unique aspect of Kaged’s Protein Isolate Elite and we’ll be digging into each protein source to tell you about how they work together.

Here are the three types of protein used in this product:

1. Whey Protein Isolate
2. Micellar Casein Protein
3. Milk Protein Isolate

Key Differences

The key differences between these proteins lie in their composition, digestion rates, and use-cases:

• Whey Protein Isolate is quickly absorbed, making it ideal for post-workout recovery. It’s also low in lactose, suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance.
• Micellar Casein Protein is slowly absorbed, making it perfect for providing a sustained release of amino acids over time, such as during sleep or periods of fasting.
• Milk Protein Isolate contains both whey and casein proteins, offering a balance of fast and slow digestion. It’s beneficial for those seeking both immediate and sustained protein release.

Whey Protein Isolate

Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is a dietary supplement and food ingredient created by separating components from milk. It’s a by-product of cheese production. The “isolate” in the name refers to the purification process where most of the fats and lactose are removed, leaving primarily protein. WPI is typically at least 90% protein.

Whey protein isolate is one of the most common protein sources used in lactose-free protein powder.

Key Features:

• High in protein (90-95%)
• Fast absorption rate, making it beneficial for post-workout recovery
• Contains all essential amino acids
• Low in fat and carbohydrates
• Lactose-free or contains only minimal amounts, beneficial for those with lactose intolerance

Micellar Casein Protein

Micellar Casein Protein is another type of protein derived from milk. It coagulates in the stomach, resulting in a slow, sustained release of amino acids into the bloodstream, which can last for several hours. This makes it particularly beneficial for muscle recovery during sleep or periods of fasting.

Key Features:

• Slow digestion and absorption rate, providing a sustained release of amino acids
• High in protein (80%)
• Contains all essential amino acids
• Beneficial for muscle growth and recovery during sleep or periods of fasting

Milk Protein Isolate

Milk Protein Isolate (MPI) is a complete protein derived from milk, containing both whey and casein proteins in the same proportion found in milk (20% whey and 80% casein). It’s produced by removing the fat and lactose from skim milk.

Key Features:

• High in protein (90%)
• Contains both whey and casein proteins, offering both fast and slow absorption rates
• Contains all essential amino acids
• Low in fat and lactose
• Beneficial for both immediate and sustained protein release

About Kyle Risley

Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.