| Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even | | | | of LDL to oxidized LDL is the trigger that |
| better protein supplement than previously | | | | leads to atherogenesis... the formation of |
| thought. Although whey protein's health | | | | the plaque and lesions associated with |
| benefits have only recently been elucidated, | | | | atherosclerosis.Therefore, any substance that |
| the use of whey protein for medicinal | | | | prevents the oxidation of LDL is thought to |
| purposes has been prescribed since the time | | | | be anti-atherogenic. Though animal-based |
| of Hippocrates. In fact, there are two | | | | proteins have traditionally been implicated |
| ancient proverbs from the Italian city of | | | | as being pro-atherogenic, whey proteins |
| Florence that say, "If you want to live a | | | | appear to be an exception to the rule. whey |
| healthy and active life, drink whey," and, | | | | protein is made up of several minor and major |
| "If everyone were raised on whey, doctors | | | | fractions, such as beta-lactoglobulin, |
| would be bankrupt."In previous issues, we've | | | | alpha-lactalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin and |
| chronicled the extensive research showing the | | | | immunoglobulin. It was discovered that the |
| many potential health benefits of whey | | | | minor constituent responsible for the ability |
| protein concentrate. The majority of that | | | | of whey protein concentrate to prevent the |
| research was done in the 1980s and early | | | | oxidation of LDL appears to be the |
| 1990s, and was extremely persuasive. | | | | lactoferrin fraction of the protein.3. |
| Scientists have continued their research on | | | | Lactoferrin In WheyWhen the lactoferrin was |
| whey proteins with even more impressive | | | | removed from the protein, the ability of the |
| results. What follows is some of the more | | | | whey-protein concentrate to prevent LDL |
| current, interesting and useful research on | | | | oxidation was greatly reduced, leading the |
| whey proteins.Whey and CancerAdditional | | | | researchers to speculate, "Our results |
| studies have been done on animals regarding | | | | suggest that LF (lactoferrin) is the main |
| cancer-causing chemicals to see what effects | | | | factor responsible for the inhibitory effect |
| whey protein concentrate would have on cancer | | | | of whey protein (on LDL) and it may function |
| prevention or treatment. Scientists fed rats | | | | synergistically together with other factors |
| various proteins and then subjected them to | | | | in the whey protein, for example, |
| the powerful carcinogen dimethylhydrazine.As | | | | alpha-lactalbumin."Another study using rats |
| with the previous research, the rats fed whey | | | | examined the effects of whey protein |
| protein concentrate showed fewer tumors and a | | | | concentrate and casein on cholesterol and the |
| reduced pooled area of tumors (tumor mass | | | | risk factors of heart disease. Though casein |
| index). The researchers found whey protein | | | | (another milk-based protein commonly used in |
| offered "considerable protection to the host" | | | | research) is known to raise cholesterol in |
| over that of other proteins, including soy.1. | | | | humans and animals, whey protein has the |
| Even more exciting, in vivo research on | | | | opposite effect, leading the researchers to |
| cancer and whey showed whey protein | | | | note, "At the high dietary protein level [300 |
| concentrate inhibited the growth of breast | | | | gram per kilogram of feed] , whey protein |
| cancer cells at low concentrations (Baruchel | | | | significantly lowered plasma and liver |
| S. and Vaiu G., Anti Cancer Research, 1996). | | | | cholesterol and also plasma |
| Finally, and most importantly, a fairly | | | | triacylglycerols."4. The cholesterol-lowering |
| recent clinical study with cancer patients | | | | effects of whey protein concentrate in this |
| showed a regression in some patient's tumors | | | | study also was associated with a reduction in |
| when fed whey protein concentrate at 30 grams | | | | LDL cholesterol. Most interesting was the |
| per day.2. Whey and GlutathioneThis new | | | | fact that this effect on cholesterol was not |
| research using whey protein concentrate led | | | | seen when the animals were fed amino acid |
| researchers to an amazing discovery regarding | | | | mixtures that simulated whey protein, so it |
| the relationship between cancerous cells, | | | | is clear that there are properties within the |
| glutathione (GSH) and whey protein | | | | whey that have these effects beyond that of |
| concentrate. It was found that whey protein | | | | its amino acid profile.Whey and Bone |
| concentrate selectively depletes cancer cells | | | | GrowthFinally, whey protein appears to play a |
| of their glutathione, thus making them more | | | | direct role in bone growth. Researchers found |
| susceptible to cancer treatments such as | | | | that rats fed whey protein concentrate showed |
| radiation and chemotherapy.It has been found | | | | increased bone strength and bone protein such |
| that cancer cells and normal cells will | | | | as collagen. This discovery led researches to |
| respond differently to nutrients and drugs | | | | test whether or not whey protein directly |
| that affect glutathione status. What is most | | | | stimulated osteoblast (bone cell) growth in |
| interesting to note is the fact that the | | | | vitro.Whey protein was found to stimulate, |
| concentration of glutathione in tumor cells | | | | dose dependently, total protein synthesis, |
| is higher than that of the normal cells that | | | | DNA content, and increased hydroxyproline |
| surround it. This difference in glutathione | | | | contents of bone cells.5. It should be noted |
| status between normal cells and cancer cells | | | | that not all whey protein concentrates are |
| is believed to be an important factor in | | | | created equal. Processing whey protein to |
| cancer cells' resistance to chemotherapy.As | | | | remove the lactose and fats without losing |
| the researchers put it, "Tumor cell GSH | | | | its biological activity takes special care by |
| concentration may be among the determinants | | | | the manufacturer. The protein must be |
| of the cytotoxicity [poisonous to cells] of | | | | processed under low temperature and low acid |
| many chemotherapeutic agents and of | | | | conditions so as not to "denature" the |
| radiation, and an increase in GSH | | | | protein. Maintaining the natural state of the |
| concentration appears to be at least one of | | | | protein is essential to its biological |
| the mechanisms of acquired drug resistance to | | | | activity. |
| chemotherapy."They further state, "It is | | | | |
| well-known that rapid GSH synthesis in tumor | | | | These research findings, combined with the |
| cells is associated with high rates of | | | | previous decade of study on whey protein, |
| cellular proliferation. Depletion of tumor | | | | should convince anyone that whey protein |
| GSH in vivo decreases the rate of cellular | | | | concentrate is truly the life-extension |
| proliferation and inhibits cancer growth."The | | | | protein.Higher Glutathione Levels and WheyA |
| problem is, it's difficult to reduce | | | | decade-and-a-half of findings on the benefits |
| glutathione sufficiently in tumor cells | | | | of whey protein are far-reaching.Previous |
| without placing healthy tissue at risk and | | | | Studies Include The Following:Whey protein |
| putting the cancer patient in a worse | | | | concentrate dramatically raises glutathione |
| condition. What is needed is a compound that | | | | levels. Glutathione is an essential |
| can selectively deplete the cancer cells of | | | | water-soluble antioxidant in the body that |
| their glutathione, while increasing, or at | | | | protects cells and serves as a primary |
| least maintaining, the levels of glutathione | | | | detoxifier of harmful compounds such as |
| in healthy cells.This is exactly what whey | | | | peroxides, heavy metals, carcinogens and |
| protein appears to do. In this new research | | | | other toxins.Glutathione also is intimately |
| it was found that cancer cells subjected to | | | | tied to immunity, and reduced glutathione |
| whey proteins were depleted of their | | | | levels have been associated with disease such |
| glutathione, and their growth was inhibited, | | | | as AIDS, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease |
| while normal cells had an increase in GSH and | | | | and Parkinson's disease, to name only a few. |
| increased cellular growth.These effects were | | | | In fact, glutathione levels appear to be one |
| not seen with other proteins. Not | | | | way of modulating immunity.6. Whey protein |
| surprisingly, the researchers concluded, | | | | concentrate was found to consistently raise |
| "Selective depletion of tumor GSH may in fact | | | | this extremely important immune stimulating |
| render cancer cells more vulnerable to the | | | | antioxidant beyond that of any protein |
| action of chemotherapy and eventually protect | | | | studied (including soy) to higher than normal |
| normal tissue against the deleterious effects | | | | levels in multiple animal studies.7. A small |
| of chemotherapy." The exact mechanism by | | | | pilot study with HIV-positive men who were |
| which whey protein achieves this is not fully | | | | fed whey protein concentrate found dramatic |
| understood, but it appears that it interferes | | | | increases in glutathione levels of all the |
| with the normal feedback mechanism and | | | | study participants, with two out of three men |
| regulation of glutathione in cancer cells.It | | | | reaching their ideal body weight.8. In fact, |
| is known that glutathione production is | | | | there have been several U.S. and |
| negatively inhibited by its own synthesis. | | | | international patents granted for the |
| Being that baseline glutathione levels in | | | | treatment of AIDS and improving immunity with |
| cancer cells are higher than that of normal | | | | whey protein concentrates.Whey protein |
| cells, it is probably easier to reach the | | | | improves immune function and fights |
| level of negative-feedback inhibition in the | | | | infections. Animals fed whey protein |
| cancer cells' glutathione levels than in the | | | | concentrate consistently showed dramatic |
| normal cells' glutathione levels.Whey and LDL | | | | enhancement of both the humoral and cellular |
| CholesterolThe positive health benefits of | | | | immune response to a variety of immune |
| whey protein concentrate does not end with | | | | challenges, such as salmonella, streptococcus |
| its effects on immunity and cancer prevention | | | | pneumonia 9 and extreme cancer-causing |
| and treatment. Whey protein concentrate also | | | | chemicals. This effect on immunity was not |
| was found to be a potent inhibitor of | | | | seen with other proteins. So proof Whey |
| oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol. | | | | protein concentrate fights cancer!! |
| Current research suggests that the conversion | | | | |