Whey protein, one of two proteins found in cow's milk, is the easiest for the human body to absorb and use. The protein is typically taken as a powder supplement in concentrate or isolate form. Whey protein concentrate has much of the fat removed but contains lactose, a carbohydrate, while the isolate is 90 percent protein by volume.
General Benefits
Whey protein is rich in glutathione, an antioxidant amino acid necessary for maintaining a healthy immune system. The high levels of essential amino acids in whey protein, paired with the leucine content, may help preserve muscle tissue while promoting fat loss to assist healthy adults in maintaining a healthy body weight and composition.
Althetic Performance
Amino acids are the building blocks of new muscle tissue. Athletes who supplement with whey protein may notice an improvement in both body composition and strength, compared with carbohydrate supplementation alone, reports experts at the McKinley Health Center.
Medical Applications
In addition to the overall health benefits, whey protein may have a place in the treatment of several health conditions. Hydrolyzed whey protein is more easily absorbed by the body, and this form of whey is often given to infants with a cow's milk allergy after being weened from breast milk. Whey protein may be proscribed to AIDS patients to supplement their dietary protein intake to promote weight gain and prevent muscle wasting. Always talk with your doctor before including whey in your treatment plan.
Appetite Suppressant
Unlike carbohydrates, which can lead to sudden spikes and dips in blood sugar, protein is digested slowly, causing a slow and steady change in blood sugar levels. When you eat whey protein, you feel full for longer than if you'd eaten carbohydrates. Whey protein may promote a feeling of fullness to help decrease food intake.
References
- McKinley Health Center: Creatine and Whey Protein Supplements
- MayoClinic.com: Whey Protein
- University of Maryland Medical Center: HIV and AIDS
- "Life Extension" Magazine; How Whey Promotes Weight Loss; Will Brink; March 2006
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; A Follow-Up Study of Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Status, and Growth in Infants With Cow Milk Allergy Fed Either a Soy Formula or an Extensively Hydrolyzed Whey Formula; Leena Seppo et al; 2005
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