Are Whey Protein Powders Unhealthy?

Whey protein supplementation may prove beneficial for athletes, bodybuilders and other individuals thanks to its ability to boost the immune system, promote fat loss and assist in muscle growth and repair. However, such protein supplements aren't also without their potential unhealthy side effects. Knowing potential drawbacks related to taking whey protein powder can help you make an educated decision about adding whey to your diet.

Allergic Reactions

People who have milk allergies may sometimes be allergic to whey protein, depending on the specific compounds in milk that they're allergic to. Symptoms that may arise if you're allergic specifically to whey include nausea, trouble breathing, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

Lactose Intolerance

Whey protein powders come in various forms depending on the whey formulation that they use, such as whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate. The latter is preferable if you have an intolerance to lactose as isolate powders contain negligible levels of lactose. Other kinds of whey protein powder may have enough lactose to cause you gastrointestinal distress.

Weight Gain

Whey protein powders, while they may be lean in terms of fat content, still contain moderate-to-high levels of calories. Depending on the level of activity in your lifestyle, whey protein powder supplementation may lead to weight gain or reduced success at losing weight. This may further be affected by the carbohydrates in the powder as some supplements contain sweeteners that can also influence weight gain.

Bone Mineral Loss

Some studies and health professionals argue that very high levels of protein intake may correlate with increased bone mineral loss, which may influence the risk of experiencing fractures and diseases like osteoporosis. For example, various studies have noted that calcium excretion in your urine jumps for every 50 g of protein ingested, warns Dr. Susan Brown. Additionally, in a 2000 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers compared bone mineral density between women who took soy protein and women who took whey protein. The women who took whey protein were the only ones who lost bone mineral density. However, this loss was very minor, ringing in at an average of just 1.28 percent.