Whey Benefits
updated on 2008 Zhion@Zhion.com
updated on 2008 Zhion@Zhion.com
Whey, a protein complex derived from milk, has been touted as a
functional food with a number of health benefits. The biological
components of whey, including lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin,
alpha-lactalbumin, glycomacropeptide, and immunoglobulins,
demonstrate a range of immune-enhancing properties. In addition, whey
has the ability to act as an antioxidant, antihypertensive, antitumor,
hypolipidemic, antiviral, antibacterial, and chelating agent. Researchers
believe that its primary mechanism is via an intracellular conversion of
the amino acid cysteine to glutathione, a potent intracellular antioxidant.
[1].
Whey is also a rich source of ACE inhibitory peptides. Several
studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats show that whey can
significantly reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a limited number of
human studies have associated milk protein-derived peptides with
statistically significant hypotensive effects (i.e., lower systolic and
diastolic pressures). [2]
Whey proteins and amino acid supplements have a strong
position in the sports nutrition market based on the purported
quality of proteins and amino acids they provide. Recent studies
employing stable isotope methodology demonstrate the ability of whey
proteins or amino acid mixtures of similar composition to promote whole
body and muscle protein synthesis. [3]
A recent study suggests that whey may curb effect of carbs on
blood sugar. This can be a good news for people suffered from
diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce
enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels at healthy levels or the body
has become resistant to insulin. A high-carbohydrate meal can cause
dangerous spikes in the blood sugar of people suffered from diabetes. In
the study, drinking a whey supplement mixed with water along with a
high-carbohydrate meal, like mashed potatoes with meatballs, prevented
the dramatic spikes in blood sugar that normally occur in people with
type 2 diabetes. [4.5]
For two days, 14 people with diet-treated type 2 diabetes ate a
high-carbohydrate breakfast of white bread followed by a
high-carbohydrate lunch of mashed potatoes and meatballs. A whey
supplement of 27.6 grams of whey powder mixed in water was added to
both meals on one day. On another day, they ate the same meals with
lean ham and lactose dissolved in water in place of the whey
supplement. [4.5]
Researchers found that insulin production was higher after the
whey-supplemented meals. For example, insulin production was 31%
higher after the high-carbohydrate breakfast and 57% higher after the
high-carbohydrate lunch when whey was included compared with when it
was not. They also found that rises in blood sugar levels after lunch were
reduced by 21% with whey supplementation. [4.5]
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[1] Marshall K, Therapeutic applications of whey protein. Altern Med Rev. 2004
Jun;9(2):136-56.
[2] FitzGerald RJ, Hypotensive peptides from milk proteins. J Nutr. 2004
Apr;134(4):980S-8S.]
[3] Ha E et al, Functional properties of whey, whey components, and essential amino
acids: mechanisms underlying health benefits for active people (review). J Nutr
Biochem. 2003 May;14(5):251-8.]
[4] Frid, A. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2005; vol 82: pp 69-75.
[5] Whey supplement helpful for diabetics, Reuters Health, Wed Jul 27, 2005
This article is for your information only. If you have question,
please, consult with your doctor. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
functional food with a number of health benefits. The biological
components of whey, including lactoferrin, beta-lactoglobulin,
alpha-lactalbumin, glycomacropeptide, and immunoglobulins,
demonstrate a range of immune-enhancing properties. In addition, whey
has the ability to act as an antioxidant, antihypertensive, antitumor,
hypolipidemic, antiviral, antibacterial, and chelating agent. Researchers
believe that its primary mechanism is via an intracellular conversion of
the amino acid cysteine to glutathione, a potent intracellular antioxidant.
[1].
Whey is also a rich source of ACE inhibitory peptides. Several
studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats show that whey can
significantly reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a limited number of
human studies have associated milk protein-derived peptides with
statistically significant hypotensive effects (i.e., lower systolic and
diastolic pressures). [2]
Whey proteins and amino acid supplements have a strong
position in the sports nutrition market based on the purported
quality of proteins and amino acids they provide. Recent studies
employing stable isotope methodology demonstrate the ability of whey
proteins or amino acid mixtures of similar composition to promote whole
body and muscle protein synthesis. [3]
A recent study suggests that whey may curb effect of carbs on
blood sugar. This can be a good news for people suffered from
diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce
enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels at healthy levels or the body
has become resistant to insulin. A high-carbohydrate meal can cause
dangerous spikes in the blood sugar of people suffered from diabetes. In
the study, drinking a whey supplement mixed with water along with a
high-carbohydrate meal, like mashed potatoes with meatballs, prevented
the dramatic spikes in blood sugar that normally occur in people with
type 2 diabetes. [4.5]
For two days, 14 people with diet-treated type 2 diabetes ate a
high-carbohydrate breakfast of white bread followed by a
high-carbohydrate lunch of mashed potatoes and meatballs. A whey
supplement of 27.6 grams of whey powder mixed in water was added to
both meals on one day. On another day, they ate the same meals with
lean ham and lactose dissolved in water in place of the whey
supplement. [4.5]
Researchers found that insulin production was higher after the
whey-supplemented meals. For example, insulin production was 31%
higher after the high-carbohydrate breakfast and 57% higher after the
high-carbohydrate lunch when whey was included compared with when it
was not. They also found that rises in blood sugar levels after lunch were
reduced by 21% with whey supplementation. [4.5]
HOME
[1] Marshall K, Therapeutic applications of whey protein. Altern Med Rev. 2004
Jun;9(2):136-56.
[2] FitzGerald RJ, Hypotensive peptides from milk proteins. J Nutr. 2004
Apr;134(4):980S-8S.]
[3] Ha E et al, Functional properties of whey, whey components, and essential amino
acids: mechanisms underlying health benefits for active people (review). J Nutr
Biochem. 2003 May;14(5):251-8.]
[4] Frid, A. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2005; vol 82: pp 69-75.
[5] Whey supplement helpful for diabetics, Reuters Health, Wed Jul 27, 2005
This article is for your information only. If you have question,
please, consult with your doctor. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
