Whey Protein by Will Brink
The Whey to Weight Loss – Regular readers of my work have come to expect articles about the power of whey proteins to potentaily fight cancer and improve immunity among its many benefits. The ability of whey to fight cancer, improve glutathione levels and immunity, is well documented. Additional research suggests possible medical uses for whey that are quite unexpected and different from whey’s traditional role as an immune booster and anti cancer functional food. For example, whey may be able to reduce stress and lower cortisol and increase brain serotonin levels, improve liver function in those suffering from certain forms of hepatitis, reduce blood pressure, as well as other amazing recent discoveries, such as whey’s possible effects on weight loss, which is the focus of this article.
What is whey? When we talk about whey we are actually referring to a complex milk-based ingredient made up of protein, lactose, fat and minerals. Protein is the best-known component of whey and is made up of many smaller protein subfractions such as: Beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, immunoglobulins (IgGs), glycomacropeptides, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and minor peptides such as lactoperoxidases, lysozyme and lactoferrin.
Each of the subfractions found in whey has its own unique biological properties. Modern filtering technology has improved dramatically in the past decade, allowing companies to separate some of the highly bioactive peptides -such as lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase-from whey.
Some of these subfractions are only found in very minute amounts in cow’s milk, normally at less than one percent (e.g., lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, etc.)
The medicinal properties of whey have been known for centuries. For example, an expression from Florence, Italy. Circa 1650, was “Chi vuol viver sano e lesto beve scotta e cena presto” which translates into English as “If you want to live a healthy and active life, drink whey and dine early.”
Another expression from Italy regarding the benefits of whey (circa 1777) was “Allevato con la scotta il dottore e in bancarotta.” Which translates into English “If everyone were raised on whey, doctors would be bankrupt.”
Is whey a weight loss functional food? A few years ago, I might have said no. Now I am not so sure. Although there was a smattering of studies suggesting whey had certain properties that might assist with weight loss, a number of recent studies appear to further support the use of whey as a possible weight loss supplement. Most interesting – at least to nerds like me – the effect appears to be not by a single mechanism, but several. This article will briefly explore a few possible pathways by which whey may assist the dieter.
“I’m hungry!” – Human hunger and appetite are regulated by a phenomenally complicated set of overlapping feedback networks, involving a long list of hormones, psychological factors as well as physiological factors, all of which are still being elucidated. It’s a very intensive area of research right now, with various pharmaceutical companies looking for that “magic bullet” weight loss breakthrough they can bring to market.
One hormone getting attention by researchers looking for possible solutions to obesity is cholecystokinin (CCK). Several decades ago, researchers found CCK largely responsible for the feeling of fullness or satiety experienced after a meal and partially controls appetite, at least in the short term.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a small peptide with multiple functions in both the central nervous system and the periphery (via CCK-B and CCK-A receptors respectively). Along with other hormones, such as pancreatic glucagon, bombesin, glucagon-like peptide-1, amide (GLP-1), oxyntomodulin, peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)., CCK is released by ingested food from the gastrointestinal tract and mediates satiety after meals.
Such a list would not be complete without at least making mention of what many researchers consider the “master hormones” in this milieu, which is insulin and leptin. If that’s not confusing enough, release of these hormones depends on the concentration and composition of the nutrients ingested.
That is, the type of nutrients (i.e., fat, protein, and carbohydrates) eaten, the amount of each eaten, and composition of the meal, all effect which hormones are released and in what amounts. Needless to say, it’s a topic that gets real complicated real fast and the exact roles of all the variables is far from fully understood at this time, though huge strides have been made recently.
Whey’s effects on food intake – This (finally!) brings us to whey protein. Whey may have some unique effects on food intake via its effects on CCK and other pathways. Many studies have shown that protein is the most satiating macro-nutrient. However, it also appears all proteins may not be created equal in this respect.
For example, two studies using human volunteers compared whey vs. casein (another milk based protein) on appetite, CCK, and other hormones (Hall WL, Millward DJ, Long SJ, Morgan LM.Casein and whey exert different effects on plasma amino acid profiles, gastrointestinal hormone secretion and appetite. Br J Nutr. 2003 Feb;89(2):239-48).
