Whey is naturally very high in BCAAs and contains a good amount of glutamine and glutamic acid (its precursor). If you take 2 servings a day this will be a fairly good dose of BCAA & Glutamine. However, depending upon your goals, training intensity/duration, etc, you may want to add more of these as some bodybuilders and sportsmen do.

This product is Hillal judging by your definition below.

Whey protein prices are on the way up. This will likely affect all whey products over the next year or so. Optimum have just decided to hike price first.

Yes

Sorry for the delayed response due to essential website maintenance.

We think we should have some in by Friday.

Protein supplements are designed to help you meet your protein requirements, which can improve recovery and muscle growth. The best for gains is Nitro-Tech, as it contains other ingredients beyond just whey protein for muscle gains and has been proven superior to other protein products. However, you have to meet your calorie needs to gain muscle also. Finally, adding creatine to your protein, this will yield increased gains.

Soy and Egg proteins are lactose free. Soy is not as effective for muscle gains as egg and whey though (whey is best). Whey "Isolates" are very low in lactose - so low that most people who are lactose intolerant will have no trouble digesting it. Isolates with minimal lactose are: Universal Ultra Iso Whey, Prolab Isolate, Isatori Whey Isolate WPi.

Yes, we will be getting this at some point but it isn't available in Britain yet.
You should take a look at VP2 by VyoPro. This product is also a premium, hydrolysed whey protein isolate. Not only that but this product has been proven to cause dramatic increases in muscle and strength as compared to other protein products in scientific research. See the links - http://www.tropicanafitness.com/view/p/1096/g/1/v/product/ast_vp2_whey_isolate.htm
&
http://www.astss.co.uk/prodView.asp'idProduct=9

We don't often get free samples of Optimum products, so not sure where you may get these. You will probably just have to buy a small (909 gram) container, as samples are hard to come by. If you like strawberry, try PhD Pharma Whey - it is probably the best-tasting strawberry whey protein available on the market.

If you go long periods between meals or meals with a lot of quality protein or if you don't eat before bed, then casein/combo proteins are useful. If this is not the case and you take protein after training, then go for whey protein. Basically, Optimum is good but so is Nitro-Tech (probably the best but also expensive), PhD, and others.

All of these are quality whey proteins. Optimum is a bit more expensive but not superior qlality. Reflex and PhD are similarin terms of levels of protein, carbs and fat but PhD adds taurine, glutamine and BCAAs and tastes better, so I would go with the Pharma Whey.

Whey protien is derived from milk and is therefore a dairy product. So if you eat dairy, you're fine to have this product. If not, don't.

For the best info on whey protein and amino acids, see - http://www.tropicanafitness.com/view/v/article/a/36 - which is on protein and amino acids and how to best use them.

Strawberry is the best seller but everyone's taste is different, so I wouldn't want to make any guaruntees.

This depends upon your diet and upon what other supplements you may be taking.

If you eat 3 high-protein meals per day, then take the whey protein in between meals and especially after workouts (with a large amount of carbs).

If any of your meals tend to be moderate to low in protein, take a serving of whey before that meal (for example, if you only have cereal and milk or toast for breakfast, have a whey shake before hand).

If you take a post-workout supplement, then check to make sure it contains enough protein (minimum of 20 grams). If it doesn't, then I would have a shake immediately after training and then your post workout product of choice. Also, any post-workout drink should also contain creatine.

Tropicana's NEW ARTICLES section has numerous articles on how to best use protein and what to take and when.

For the very best and latest information on supplements and the most effective diet strategies and exercise tips, click on http://www.tropicanafitness.com/view/v/articles - which is the "ALL NEW Article Section" on the TropicanaFitness.com website. The info on the site is written by experienced, qualified industry experts and is backed by proper scientific research on what works and what doesn't!