Whey Benefits

Whey Benefits
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

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