Whey protein is a group of globular proteins that are removed along with water when cow's milk is made into cheese. Whey is a highly nutritious source of dietary protein, with a variety of purported health benefits. Some scientific studies have documented antioxidant effects of whey protein that appear to benefit a variety of health conditions.
Liver Damage
Whey protein might increase activity of the antioxidant glutathione, according to a study published in the September 2008 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." In the study on laboratory animals, whey protein protected against alcohol-induced liver damage by increasing activity of glutathione. Whey protein also decreased apoptosis -- programmed cell death -- in white blood cells exposed to alcohol. While levels of glutathione were reduced by alcohol, the group that received whey protein maintained higher levels of the antioxidant. The researchers concluded that whey protein consumption might protect against damaging effects of alcohol, such as antioxidant imbalance.
Wound Healing
A diet supplemented with whey protein increased antioxidant defense mechanisms in a study published in the March 2008 issue of the "International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research." In the study on laboratory animals, three weeks of whey protein supplementation increased glutathione levels and suppressed lipid oxidation and improved healing time of intestinal wounds similar to those obtained from certain intestinal surgeries. The researchers called for further studies to determine the long-term effects of whey protein on wound healing.
Allergies and Asthma
Whey protein might be good for allergies and asthma, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the "British Journal of Nutrition." In the tissue culture study, undenatured whey protein -- a form of whey processed at low heat -- significantly increased liver glutathione levels and reduced anaphylactic immune response -- a life-threatening immune reaction. The researchers noted that their study was the first to show that anaphylactic immune response causes oxidative stress and that undenatured whey protein is highly effective at reducing allergy-induced constriction of airways.
Whey and Spirulina
A study published in the August 2010 issue of the journal "Nutrition" found that a combination of whey protein and spirulina provides antioxidant benefits. In the study on laboratory animals, five concentrations of whey protein, spirulina and combinations of the two showed antioxidant, free radical scavenging and metal-detoxifying effects. The supplements also protected liver tissue from damaging effects of carbon tetrachloride -- a common industrial solvent. Higher concentrations of whey protein produced better results and the combination of whey protein and spirulina was more pronounced than either one by itself.
References
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Effects of Alcohol Induced Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) Pretreated Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) on Oxidative Damage; Tseng YM, et al. September 2008
- "International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research"; Dietary Whey Supplementation in Experimental Models of Wound Healing; Velioglu Ogünç A, et al.; March 2008
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; A Whey-based Glutathione Enhancing Diet Decreases Allergen Induced Airway Contraction in a Guinea Pig Model of Asthma; Kloek J, et al.; February2011
- "Nutrition"; Antioxidant Activity and Hepatoprotective Effects of Whey Protein and Spirulina in Rats; Gad As, et al.; August 2010
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