Whey to Go! Though the popularity of whey protein has only occurred in the last 15-20 years, its health and healing properties have been revered throughout history.
What is Whey? There are two types of protein found in cow’s milk – casein and whey protein. Whey is produced as a by-product of the cheese making process. You can find whey as an ingredient in a variety of food and supplement items in the marketplace. The most common forms seen in supplementation are called whey protein ‘concentrate’ and ‘isolates’. The concentrates vary in protein content and the isolates offer the most concentrated protein content of over 90%.
What’s in it for you? Whey protein is a popular protein source for those seeking improved athletic performance. Studies have shown improvement in muscle mass due to whey protein’s high branch-chain amino acid content. A Canadian study found that those who were randomly assigned to supplementing with whey demonstrated greater improvement in knee extension peak torque, improved bench pressing and greater lean tissue mass than those engaged in training alone.
Whey has shown promise in the field of weight management by helping to speed up fat loss. Components of whey may also help improve bone density and help fight osteoporosis. Other benefits include wound healing, reduction of cavities and impressive data exists demonstrating a positive role for whey protein in helping improve immune function and fighting cancer.
For more information on whey protein visit www.wheyoflife.org or www.nutritionhousecall.com.
