Whey Protein Benefits Can Improve Your Health

It’s common knowledge that protein plays an important role in muscle development and maintenance, and because of this, introducing whey protein supplements into your routine can be a quick and convenient way to slip in another dose. But what was once considered a tool for body builders and other serious athletes, whey protein benefits are now gaining popularity with anyone who wants to get more protein into their diets. Extracted from cow’s milk during the cheese making process (whey is the watery part of milk that will separate from the curds), the protein is first filtered and then spray dried to create a powdered supplement that you can then mix into shakes and smoothies. A lot of whey protein research has been done concerning whey protein and its effects on the human body, and to shed a little more light on the topic, here are some interesting facts derived from this research.

1) Whey protein is a complete protein

What is a complete protein you may ask? Whey protein is considered a high quality, complete protein because it contains all 9 essential amino acids, including the 3 branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine. These branched-chain amino acids are desirable for athletes because they can be oxidized during exercise.

2) Whey protein has a high BV value and PDCAAS

The two best ways to determine a protein sources quality and effectiveness, is to measure its biological value (BV) and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). A protein’s biological score measures the degree to which an animal is capable of utilizing a protein and a PDCAAS is a number between 0 and 1 that evaluates a protein based on its amino acid content. In short, the higher the BV and PDCAAS is, the more effective the protein. Whey protein is at the top of the list for both BV and PDCAAS, putting it above other protein giants like eggs, chicken and soy.

3) Whey protein foods

While ingesting whey protein powder is definitely fast and convenient, pre and post workout, whey protein can be found naturally in other foods as well. For a good dose of whey protein, eat:

• Ricotta cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Dairy butter and cream
• Yogurt and
• Baked goods that use whey protein during preparation

 

4) Whey protein has a positive effect on the body

Even though whey protein is primarily taken to develop muscle and in turn, burn fat, whey protein can have other positive effects on the body. Introducing whey protein into your diet may help you to avoid digestive problems in the future.  The lactose in whey protein will turn into galacto-oliyosaccharides which are then used by intestinal bacteria. Once this occurs, the intestinal bacteria will be better able to break down food, aiding you in digestion. Whey protein can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which helps to prevent diabetes, and consuming whey protein has even been connected to depression prevention due to the fact that it aids in the release of serotonin (a calming neurotransmitter).

5) Avoid certain combinations

Although whey protein benefits are numerous and positive overall, there are times when whey protein should be avoided. Whey protein should not be taken with Levodopa (prescribed to treat Parkinson’s) for the protein can decrease the amount of Levodopa absorbed in the body. You should also avoid whey protein if you are taking Alendronate (Formax), used to treat osteoporosis and other bone diseases, as well as Quinolone and Tetracycline antibiotics, for the protein could possibly decrease the amount absorbed.

Consider Pure Whey Protein

As whey protein supplements continues to gain popularity, with more and more brands popping up on shelves, whey protein research will continue to be priority in order to provide consumers with the best possible product. So whether you’re a body builder, an athlete or simply someone who wants to introduce more protein into their diets to go along with a fitness regime, consider adding whey protein supplement after your workouts. A fast and easily digestible protein supplement, whey protein powder can be mixed into drinks, sprinkled on cereal or even baked into power bars to provide you with a boost of protein whenever you need it.