Is 1up a Complete Protein? Unpacking the Amino Acid Profile

October 19, 2025 •

2 min read

According to research, a protein is only considered “complete” if it contains all nine essential amino acids. So, is 1up a complete protein? The answer depends on which specific 1up product you're referring to, as their whey and vegan formulas have different amino acid compositions.

Quick Summary

This article examines the amino acid profiles of 1up Nutrition's whey and vegan protein supplements to determine if they qualify as complete protein sources. It compares the two product types, defines what a complete protein is, and explains how this impacts muscle growth and recovery.

Key Points

Completeness is Product-Specific: Whether a 1up product is a complete protein depends on if it's whey or vegan, though both are formulated to be complete.
Whey Protein Is Naturally Complete: 1up's whey and ISO protein powders are animal-based and, therefore, naturally contain all nine essential amino acids.
Vegan Protein is Artificially Complete: 1up's vegan protein becomes complete by blending multiple plant sources (pea, sunflower, pumpkin seed) to cover all essential amino acids.
Fast vs. Sustained Release: Whey protein offers rapid absorption ideal for post-workout, while the blended vegan protein provides a more gradual, sustained release of amino acids.
Bioavailability: Both whey and vegan formulas from 1up provide all the necessary amino acids for muscle repair and growth, supporting fitness goals effectively.
Key to Muscle Repair: Essential amino acids are crucial for the body's process of protein synthesis, which is key to repairing and building muscle tissue.
Low Calorie Options Available: For those focused on weight management, low-calorie options like 1up's Clear Protein and ISO Protein are complete and can support satiety.

Understanding What Makes a Protein 'Complete'

For a protein to be considered complete, it must provide all nine essential amino acids (EAAs) in sufficient quantities. The human body cannot produce these EAAs, making dietary intake essential.

Essential Amino Acids: The nine EAAs include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Importance: These EAAs are vital for protein synthesis, supporting muscle repair, growth, hormone production, and other bodily functions.
Incomplete Proteins: Many plant proteins lack sufficient levels of one or more EAAs, often methionine or lysine.

1up Whey and ISO Protein: Naturally Complete

1up Nutrition's whey and ISO protein powders, derived from dairy, are complete proteins, as is typical of animal-based sources.

EAA Content: These products contain all essential amino acids, including leucine, isoleucine, lysine, and methionine.
Benefits: Whey protein is known for its high bioavailability and rapid absorption, aiding post-workout recovery and muscle building.

1up Vegan Protein: A Blended Complete Protein

1up's Natural Organic Vegan Protein utilizes a blend of organic pea protein isolate, organic sunflower seed protein, and organic pumpkin seed protein to achieve a complete amino acid profile. This approach is common in vegan proteins to compensate for individual plant sources often being low in certain EAAs like methionine. The combination ensures the presence of all nine EAAs, supporting muscle repair and growth for those on a plant-based diet.

Comparison Table: 1up Whey vs. 1up Vegan Protein


Feature	1up Whey / ISO Protein	1up Vegan Protein
Source	Dairy (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate)	Organic Pea, Sunflower, and Pumpkin Seed Protein
Completeness	Complete (Contains all 9 EAAs)	Complete (Achieved via blending multiple plant sources)
Absorption Rate	Fast-digesting and highly bioavailable	Slightly slower-digesting compared to whey
Lactose Content	Present in Whey Concentrate, minimal/absent in ISO	Lactose-free and dairy-free
Ideal For	Post-workout recovery, fast protein delivery	Plant-based diets, steady protein release

Can you rely on 1up for all essential amino acids?

Both 1up's whey and vegan protein products provide a complete amino acid profile, ensuring users receive the necessary building blocks for muscle synthesis and recovery, regardless of their dietary preferences.

Conclusion: Is 1up a Complete Protein? A Definitive Yes.

Both 1up Nutrition's whey/isolate and vegan protein powders are complete protein sources, formulated to contain all nine essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair, growth, and overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Essential amino acids are nine amino acids the human body cannot produce on its own and must obtain from food. They are crucial for protein synthesis, a process that repairs muscle tissue, creates hormones, and performs other vital functions.

A plant-based protein can be a complete protein by combining multiple sources, such as pea, sunflower, and pumpkin seed protein, that complement each other's amino acid profiles to provide all nine essential amino acids.

Both 1up's vegan and whey proteins are complete protein sources. Whey is absorbed faster, making it ideal for immediate post-workout needs, while the blended plant protein provides a more sustained release. Both are effective for muscle growth and recovery.

Yes, products like 1up's Clear Protein and ISO Protein are low in calories and high in protein, which can help promote satiety and preserve muscle mass during weight loss.

1up formulates its vegan protein with a specific blend of plant sources, including pea, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed protein, to ensure a complete amino acid profile that delivers all nine essential amino acids.

No, while most animal proteins (like whey, eggs, and meat) are complete, plant-based options like quinoa, soy, and intentionally crafted blends from brands like 1up Nutrition can also provide all essential amino acids.

1up Whey is a blend of whey protein concentrate and isolate, while 1up ISO is a more purified whey protein isolate. ISO protein typically has a higher protein percentage and less lactose, making it ideal for those with lactose sensitivity.