Protein glossary: terms from A to Z explained

Protein glossary: terms from A to Z explained

This glossary collects terms around protein from A to Z, from individual protein types such as whey or casein, through scientific measures such as biological value, DIAAS and PDCAAS, to practical terms such as dosage, mixability or the shelf life of powder.

Each entry explains the term briefly and clearly and links back to the guide in which the topic is covered in more detail. If you come across a technical term anywhere on eiweiss.com that you do not know, this glossary is the quickest way to look it up.

A

  • Activity energy expenditureActivity energy expenditure describes the energy used through physical activity on top of the basal metabolic…
  • AlanineAlanine is involved in new glucose formation via the alanine cycle and is found in many protein-rich foods.
  • Amino AcidsAmino acids are the smallest building blocks that proteins are made of.
  • ArginineArginine is a semi-essential amino acid and a precursor of nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels.

B

  • Basal metabolic rateThe basal metabolic rate is the amount of energy the body needs at rest for basic functions.
  • BCAABCAA is the abbreviation for branched-chain amino acids, which include leucine, isoleucine and valine.
  • Biological ValueBiological value indicates how efficiently the body can convert a dietary protein into its own body protein.

C

  • CaffeineCaffeine acts on the central nervous system and is considered a well-studied substance for endurance performa…
  • Calorie balanceCalorie balance is the relationship between energy intake and energy expenditure and is central to weight cha…
  • Calorie surplusA calorie surplus exists when more energy is taken in than used over the day, often applied deliberately for …
  • CaseinCasein is the largest protein in milk by quantity and is absorbed by the body much more slowly than whey.
  • CitrullineCitrulline is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that plays a role in the urea cycle and occurs in watermelon.
  • Clear WheyClear whey is a heavily filtered whey variant that can be mixed with water into a clear, fruity-tasting drink.
  • Collagen ProteinCollagen protein is obtained from animal connective tissue and has a different amino acid pattern from classi…
  • Cottage cheeseCottage cheese is a granular, mild fresh cheese with a high protein content and a low fat content in the low-…
  • CreatineCreatine is a substance the body forms from amino acids, and it plays a role in the quick supply of energy to…
  • CysteineCysteine is a semi-essential, sulphur-containing amino acid and a building block of the body's own antioxidan…

D

  • DIAASDIAAS is an internationally used method for assessing how well a dietary protein can be used by the body.
  • Dietary fibreDietary fibre consists of indigestible plant components that support digestion and satiety.
  • Dietary supplementsDietary supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients that are meant to add to the normal diet, not repla…
  • DosageDosage describes how much protein powder is usually used per serving, mostly given in grams or scoops.

E

  • Egg ProteinEgg protein is obtained from dried egg white and is among the protein sources with a particularly favourable …
  • EggsEggs are regarded as one of the reference sources of high-quality protein, with a very complete amino acid pr…
  • ElectrolytesElectrolytes are charged minerals such as sodium and potassium that are lost in sweat and regulate fluid bala…
  • Essential Amino AcidsEssential amino acids are amino acids that the body cannot make itself and has to take in through food.

F

  • FishFish is one of the protein-rich, easily digestible animal foods, usually with a favourable fat profile.

G

  • Glutamic acidGlutamic acid is one of the most abundant amino acids in food and a precursor of glutamine.
  • GlycineGlycine is a non-essential amino acid and a central building block of collagen in connective tissue.

H

  • Hemp ProteinHemp protein is obtained from the seeds of the hemp plant and contains notable amounts of fibre as well as pr…
  • HIITHIIT means high-intensity interval training, with short, very demanding work phases alternating with active r…

I

  • Ingredient listThe ingredient list names all components of a product in descending order of their share by weight.
  • IronIron is a trace element for oxygen transport in the blood. Endurance athletes are considered an at-risk group…
  • IsoleucineIsoleucine is an essential branched-chain amino acid from the BCAA group. It occurs in many protein-rich food…

L

  • LactaseLactase is the digestive enzyme that breaks down milk sugar. If it is lacking, lactose intolerance can result.
  • Lactose-FreeLactose-free describes foods whose lactose content is so low that they are usually well tolerated.
  • LegumesLegumes such as lentils, beans, chickpeas and peas are among the most important plant-based protein sources.
  • LeucineLeucine is an essential, branched-chain amino acid that is credited with a special role in muscle metabolism.
  • Low-fat quarkLow-fat quark is a low-fat dairy product with a high protein content and a creamy consistency.

M

  • Milk ProteinMilk protein is the collective term for the protein in cow’s milk, which is made up of casein and whey.
  • MixabilityMixability describes how easily protein powder dissolves in liquid without lumps.
  • Multi-Component ProteinMulti-component protein refers to powders that combine several protein sources.
  • Muscle protein synthesisMuscle protein synthesis is the body's own process of building new muscle protein from amino acids.

N

  • Nitrogen balanceNitrogen balance describes the intake and excretion of nitrogen and serves as a measure of protein metabolism.
  • Nutri-ScoreThe Nutri-Score is a voluntary nutrition label that rates foods by their nutritional values in letters from A…
  • Nuts and seedsNuts and seeds contain notable amounts of plant protein as well as unsaturated fats.

O

  • Omega-3 fatty acidsOmega-3 fatty acids are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids from oily fish, linseed and rapeseed oil, and n…
  • One-rep max (1RM)The repetition maximum, often abbreviated to 1RM, is the highest possible weight for a single clean repetitio…
  • OrnithineOrnithine is involved in ammonia disposal via the urea cycle and is produced by the body itself.

P

  • PDCAASPDCAAS is a method that combines the amino acid pattern and digestibility of a protein into a single figure.
  • Pea ProteinPea protein is obtained from yellow peas and is among the most popular plant protein sources for powders.
  • PoultryPoultry such as chicken breast or turkey breast is one of the lean, protein-rich animal foods.
  • ProlineProline is a non-essential amino acid with a special structure and an important building block of collagen.
  • ProteinProtein, also called Eiweiß in German, is a macronutrient made of amino acids that helps build muscle, enzyme…
  • Protein BarProtein bars are snacks that contain a higher share of protein than classic sweets.
  • Protein breadProtein bread is a type of bread that reaches a higher protein content than classic bread through additional …
  • Protein Distribution Throughout the DayProtein distribution throughout the day describes how total protein intake is split across individual meals.
  • Protein pastaProtein pasta is often made from legume flour or enriched ingredients and provides more protein than classic …
  • Protein PowderProtein powder is dried, concentrated protein from animal or plant sources, usually mixed with liquid.
  • Protein RequirementProtein requirement indicates how much protein a person needs each day, depending on body weight, age and act…
  • Protein ShakeA protein shake is made by mixing protein powder with water, milk or a plant drink.

R

  • Rest between setsRest between sets is the recovery time between two sets of an exercise and affects how much strength is avail…
  • Rice ProteinRice protein is obtained from rice and its amino acid pattern complements pea protein particularly well.

S

  • SatietySatiety is the feeling of being full after a meal, and protein often influences it more strongly than carbohy…
  • SeitanSeitan consists almost entirely of wheat protein and has a fibrous, meat-like consistency.
  • SerineSerine is a non-essential amino acid that the body makes itself and that occurs in many protein-rich foods.
  • ShakerA shaker is a lidded cup in which protein powder and liquid can be combined by shaking.
  • Shelf life of powderThe shelf life of protein powder describes how long it can be kept with correct storage without loss of quali…
  • SkyrSkyr is a traditional Icelandic dairy product with a thick, creamy consistency and a high protein content.
  • Soy ProteinSoy protein is obtained from soybeans and is one of the few plant proteins with a complete essential amino ac…
  • Split trainingIn split training, muscle groups are divided across different training days instead of training the whole bod…
  • SupercompensationSupercompensation describes the body's adaptation beyond its starting level after a sufficient training stimu…
  • Sweeteners in powderSweeteners are added to protein powders to improve flavour, usually without a notable contribution of calorie…

T

  • TempehTempeh is made by fermenting cooked soya beans and has a firmer, nuttier consistency than tofu.
  • Thermic effectThe thermic effect describes how much energy the body itself uses to digest and process a nutrient.
  • TofuTofu is made from curdled soya milk and is one of the most protein-rich plant foods.

V

  • ValineValine is one of the essential amino acids in the BCAA group and is involved in energy metabolism and the mus…
  • Vegan ProteinVegan protein refers to protein sources and protein powders made entirely without animal ingredients.
  • Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is involved in blood formation, the nervous system and energy metabolism, and is found mainly in …
  • Vitamin DVitamin D supports bones and muscles and is formed in the skin in sunlight, otherwise it comes from food.

W

  • WheyWhey is produced during cheese making and is the basis for whey protein, one of the best-known protein source…
  • Whey HydrolysateWhey hydrolysate is whey protein that has been broken down into smaller protein fragments by enzymatic pre-di…
  • Whey IsolateWhey isolate is a whey variant that, through additional filtering, contains a higher protein share and less l…
  • Whey ProteinWhey protein is obtained from the liquid whey left over from cheese production.

Z

  • ZincZinc is a trace element with many functions in metabolism and must be taken in regularly through food.

From the guides