Whey Protein Importance

Studies on whey demonstrate it's an even betterresearch suggests that the conversion of LDL to
protein supplement than previously thought. Althoughoxidized LDL is the trigger that leads to
whey protein's health benefits have only recentlyatherogenesis... the formation of the plaque and
been elucidated, the use of whey protein forlesions associated with atherosclerosis.Therefore, any
medicinal purposes has been prescribed since thesubstance that prevents the oxidation of LDL is
time of Hippocrates. In fact, there are two ancientthought to be anti-atherogenic. Though animal-based
proverbs from the Italian city of Florence that say,proteins have traditionally been implicated as being
"If you want to live a healthy and active life, drinkpro-atherogenic, whey proteins appear to be an
whey," and, "If everyone were raised on whey,exception to the rule. whey protein is made up of
doctors would be bankrupt."In previous issues, we'veseveral minor and major fractions, such as
chronicled the extensive research showing the manybeta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, albumin, lactoferrin
potential health benefits of whey protein concentrate.and immunoglobulin. It was discovered that the minor
The majority of that research was done in the 1980sconstituent responsible for the ability of whey protein
and early 1990s, and was extremely persuasive.concentrate to prevent the oxidation of LDL appears
Scientists have continued their research on wheyto be the lactoferrin fraction of the protein.3.
proteins with even more impressive results. WhatLactoferrin In WheyWhen the lactoferrin was
follows is some of the more current, interesting andremoved from the protein, the ability of the
useful research on whey proteins.Whey andwhey-protein concentrate to prevent LDL oxidation
CancerAdditional studies have been done on animalswas greatly reduced, leading the researchers to
regarding cancer-causing chemicals to see whatspeculate, "Our results suggest that LF (lactoferrin) is
effects whey protein concentrate would have onthe main factor responsible for the inhibitory effect
cancer prevention or treatment. Scientists fed ratsof whey protein (on LDL) and it may function
various proteins and then subjected them to thesynergistically together with other factors in the
powerful carcinogen dimethylhydrazine.As with thewhey protein, for example, alpha-lactalbumin."Another
previous research, the rats fed whey proteinstudy using rats examined the effects of whey
concentrate showed fewer tumors and a reducedprotein concentrate and casein on cholesterol and the
pooled area of tumors (tumor mass index). Therisk factors of heart disease. Though casein (another
researchers found whey protein offeredmilk-based protein commonly used in research) is
"considerable protection to the host" over that ofknown to raise cholesterol in humans and animals,
other proteins, including soy.1. Even more exciting, inwhey protein has the opposite effect, leading the
vivo research on cancer and whey showed wheyresearchers to note, "At the high dietary protein level
protein concentrate inhibited the growth of breast[300 gram per kilogram of feed] , whey protein
cancer cells at low concentrations (Baruchel S. andsignificantly lowered plasma and liver cholesterol and
Vaiu G., Anti Cancer Research, 1996). Finally, andalso plasma triacylglycerols."4. The cholesterol-lowering
most importantly, a fairly recent clinical study witheffects of whey protein concentrate in this study
cancer patients showed a regression in somealso was associated with a reduction in LDL
patient's tumors when fed whey protein concentratecholesterol. Most interesting was the fact that this
at 30 grams per day.2. Whey and GlutathioneThiseffect on cholesterol was not seen when the animals
new research using whey protein concentrate ledwere fed amino acid mixtures that simulated whey
researchers to an amazing discovery regarding theprotein, so it is clear that there are properties within
relationship between cancerous cells, glutathionethe whey that have these effects beyond that of its
(GSH) and whey protein concentrate. It was foundamino acid profile.Whey and Bone GrowthFinally,
that whey protein concentrate selectively depleteswhey protein appears to play a direct role in bone
cancer cells of their glutathione, thus making themgrowth. Researchers found that rats fed whey
more susceptible to cancer treatments such asprotein concentrate showed increased bone strength
radiation and chemotherapy.It has been found thatand bone protein such as collagen. This discovery led
cancer cells and normal cells will respond differently toresearches to test whether or not whey protein
nutrients and drugs that affect glutathione status.directly stimulated osteoblast (bone cell) growth in
What is most interesting to note is the fact that thevitro.Whey protein was found to stimulate, dose
concentration of glutathione in tumor cells is higherdependently, total protein synthesis, DNA content,
than that of the normal cells that surround it. Thisand increased hydroxyproline contents of bone cells.5.
difference in glutathione status between normal cellsIt should be noted that not all whey protein
and cancer cells is believed to be an important factorconcentrates are created equal. Processing whey
in cancer cells' resistance to chemotherapy.As theprotein to remove the lactose and fats without losing
researchers put it, "Tumor cell GSH concentrationits biological activity takes special care by the
may be among the determinants of the cytotoxicitymanufacturer. The protein must be processed under
[poisonous to cells] of many chemotherapeuticlow temperature and low acid conditions so as not to
agents and of radiation, and an increase in GSH"denature" the protein. Maintaining the natural state of
concentration appears to be at least one of thethe protein is essential to its biological activity.
mechanisms of acquired drug resistance toThese research findings, combined with the previous
chemotherapy."They further state, "It is well-knowndecade of study on whey protein, should convince
that rapid GSH synthesis in tumor cells is associatedanyone that whey protein concentrate is truly the
with high rates of cellular proliferation. Depletion oflife-extension protein.Higher Glutathione Levels and
tumor GSH in vivo decreases the rate of cellularWheyA decade-and-a-half of findings on the benefits
proliferation and inhibits cancer growth."The problemof whey protein are far-reaching.Previous Studies
is, it's difficult to reduce glutathione sufficiently inInclude The Following:Whey protein concentrate
tumor cells without placing healthy tissue at risk anddramatically raises glutathione levels. Glutathione is an
putting the cancer patient in a worse condition. Whatessential water-soluble antioxidant in the body that
is needed is a compound that can selectively depleteprotects cells and serves as a primary detoxifier of
the cancer cells of their glutathione, while increasing,harmful compounds such as peroxides, heavy metals,
or at least maintaining, the levels of glutathione incarcinogens and other toxins.Glutathione also is
healthy cells.This is exactly what whey proteinintimately tied to immunity, and reduced glutathione
appears to do. In this new research it was foundlevels have been associated with disease such as
that cancer cells subjected to whey proteins wereAIDS, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and
depleted of their glutathione, and their growth wasParkinson's disease, to name only a few. In fact,
inhibited, while normal cells had an increase in GSH andglutathione levels appear to be one way of
increased cellular growth.These effects were notmodulating immunity.6. Whey protein concentrate
seen with other proteins. Not surprisingly, thewas found to consistently raise this extremely
researchers concluded, "Selective depletion of tumorimportant immune stimulating antioxidant beyond that
GSH may in fact render cancer cells more vulnerableof any protein studied (including soy) to higher than
to the action of chemotherapy and eventuallynormal levels in multiple animal studies.7. A small pilot
protect normal tissue against the deleterious effectsstudy with HIV-positive men who were fed whey
of chemotherapy." The exact mechanism by whichprotein concentrate found dramatic increases in
whey protein achieves this is not fully understood,glutathione levels of all the study participants, with
but it appears that it interferes with the normaltwo out of three men reaching their ideal body
feedback mechanism and regulation of glutathione inweight.8. In fact, there have been several U.S. and
cancer cells.It is known that glutathione production isinternational patents granted for the treatment of
negatively inhibited by its own synthesis. Being thatAIDS and improving immunity with whey protein
baseline glutathione levels in cancer cells are higherconcentrates.Whey protein improves immune function
than that of normal cells, it is probably easier to reachand fights infections. Animals fed whey protein
the level of negative-feedback inhibition in the cancerconcentrate consistently showed dramatic
cells' glutathione levels than in the normal cells'enhancement of both the humoral and cellular immune
glutathione levels.Whey and LDL CholesterolTheresponse to a variety of immune challenges, such as
positive health benefits of whey protein concentratesalmonella, streptococcus pneumonia 9 and extreme
does not end with its effects on immunity andcancer-causing chemicals. This effect on immunity
cancer prevention and treatment. Whey proteinwas not seen with other proteins. So proof Whey
concentrate also was found to be a potent inhibitorprotein concentrate fights cancer!!
of oxidized low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Current