Calcium Caseinate: Properties And Uses

Calcium caseinate is a versatile compound obtained from milk proteins. In today’s article we are going to outline their properties and uses.

Have you heard of calcium caseinate ? It is a substance obtained from milk proteins. If you want to know what it’s used for, just keep reading!

Calcium caseinate is a compound of casein with a high biological value. Therefore , it is also very popular as a dietary supplement in sports, especially in those sports that stimulate muscle synthesis.

What exactly is calcium caseinate?

As we mentioned at the beginning, calcium caseinate is a salt that is extracted from milk protein.

Generally, this process is done through the addition of certain enzymes or through substances like vinegar and lemon juice. Because these can reduce the acidity of dairy products and lead to the coagulation of casein.

This salt is created by treating casein with calcium hydroxide.

Properties of calcium caseinate

Calcium caseinate consists of 90% proteins and all other essential amino acids. This is why it has such a high biological value and important nutritional properties.

In addition, this substance contains a significant amount of calcium and is less than 1% fat. Phosphorus and sulfur are also found in limited quantities. But not only that, it is basically lactose free.

In general, caseinates are heat-resistant substances, even stronger than most proteins. In addition , they can easily interact with water and fats. That is why they are very effective emulsifiers.

As you can see, it is these characteristics that make these salts such extremely versatile food additives in various edible products.

Uses of calcium caseinate

The best-known use of this compound is as a dietary supplement during exercise, because the protein casein has an anti-catabolic effect. This means that it prevents muscle breakdown.

The body slowly absorbs this substance and activates the metabolism of amino acids as it digests them – along with protein synthesis. As you can see, consuming calcium caseinate leads to a feeling of satiety.

Various studies have shown that the addition of serum proteins and caseinates leads to a better feeling of satiety in overweight people. In addition, it is also ideal for providing patients in the hospital who have an increased need for calcium with sufficient supply of this nutrient.

As a dietary supplement, calcium caseinate is particularly suitable for people who do strength training, exercise very intensively or strive for better muscle definition.

However, it is not advisable to take calcium caseinate without consulting a qualified professional. This is because you also need to consider your current diet when consuming it. You should also know that calcium caseinate alone does not have any of the effects mentioned, especially if you are not getting enough protein at the same time.

Use in the food industry

Caseinates are used in foods as well as in other additives and preservatives. This salt is said to extend the shelf life of various products, give them nutritional value and modify textures. Some of the products that contain calcium caseinate are as follows:

• Ice cream
• Cookies
• loaf
• Instant soups
• Creamer
• Breakfast cereals
• Pastries and cakes

Calcium intake

Since calcium caseinate is mostly calcium and contains little lactose, people who are lactose intolerant can get calcium in this way. In fact, they can digest it with no problem. This is great as it prevents decalcification and helps strengthen bones and teeth.

Contraindications

Some studies suggest that casein has significant inflammatory potential. Therefore , some people may be allergic to casein and its derivatives.

Casein allergy

If you’re allergic to casein, your body identifies this protein as a foreign compound and releases histamine to neutralize it. Therefore, consumption can lead to reactions such as diarrhea, itchy throat, stuffy nose and burning eyes, among other things.

vegan

Since this substance is obtained from cow’s milk, it is not suitable for people who follow a vegan diet or who do not consume dairy products for other reasons. Therefore, you should always read the product labels carefully. This will help ensure that none of the products you consume contain calcium caseinate. It can be found in coffee products, ready-made soups or biscuits, among other things.

Final thoughts

This substance is widely used as a food additive in various products that you may consume on a daily basis. In addition , it is also used as a dietary supplement for sports. You can include it in your diet if you want to improve your muscle mass.

However, you should always consult a doctor first before consuming it to make sure there are no contraindications.