To understand what might be the best protein supplement for you, you need to understand what protein is and what sources are available to you.

Protein is one of six essential nutrients that our bodies need in order to grown and stay healthy. Unfortunately, our bodies cannot produce these nutrients themselves and therefore we need to get them from the food we eat and drink.

There are many naturally occurring sources of protein, meat being one of the best but not he only one. Eggs, milk, cheese, beans, nuts are all good sources of protein. But despite these many sources of good protein, the modern diet often leaves us short of protein so we have to turn to supplements.

What's the best protein supplement source? While health food stores will have shelves full of different types the following are usually the best:

Whey protein - obtained as a by-product of the cheese making process it is the most popular one used by bodybuilders and power exercisers to build and maintain muscle tissue.

Soy protein - often referred to as the next best protein source to meat, it is derived from the soy plant and studies support its claim to maintaining HDL cholesterol and reducing LDL cholesterol.

Egg Protein - is contained only in the white of the eggs and is considered a very good form of natural protein. Supplements are made from egg whites only so you get the benefit of the protein without the downside of the cholesterol from the egg yoke.

Casein Protein - is another good source of protein and has the added benefit of very slow digestion and is said to be effective for 6 to 7 hours.

Whey / Soy Isolate Protein - this is a more highly concentrated form of whey or soy protein. They will contain up to 98% protein as against 85% for the less concentrated version.

Protein supplements are most often used by bodybuilders or power exercisers because they need the extra energy. But the best protein supplement in usa can also be used to simply balance your diet if you are not able to properly balance it by choosing the right combination of foods. However, be cautious, as you can have too much of a good thing. A proper amount of protein will lead to healthy bones, hair, muscle and skin but if the body has too much protein it needs to eliminate it and this can put a strain on vital organs such as your kidneys or liver. As usual, always consult your health practitioner before taking any supplements.