Whey Protein Powder - Benefits

Whey protein powder is not an essential element of anyone’s diet, and of course you can get protein from many sources, including meat, eggs, other dairy products, legumes and even grains.  So why should you even think about using whey protein powder?

Because it’s a very easily digested, absorbed and utilized form of protein, and in a powdered supplement form, it can easily be stored and then consumed by adding water or by adding it to a smoothie or yogurt.  So it is very convenient for today’s lifestyle, and is also relatively low in calories. 

It also has some unique benefits not always found in other protein sources.
 

Primary Benefits of Whey Protein Powder

Many have reported great health benefits from taking whey protein powder.  It is a good supplement to take after a workout, and can give you a decreased recovery rate from your exercise routine as well as help your body repair muscles faster.  It also helps to build muscle mass, which is why bodybuilders use it.  But anyone with increased muscle mass will also burn more calories per pound, as muscles need more fuel than other types of cells in the body.  In addition, one of the best reasons to take whey protein powder is that it will help your body make more of the master antioxidant:  Glutathione.

Whey Protein and Glutathione

Scientists have known about whey protein and the benefits of glutathione since the 1800’s.  One of the amino acids contained in whey is cysteine, which your body uses to make glutathione.  Some brands of whey protein powder contain cysteine that is highly bioactive in its ability to increase glutathione production, so you might want to look for that in your supplement.  Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that can help your body in several ways:

Glutathione Quenches Free Radicals:  Glutathione, as an antioxidant, helps to quench free radicals.  This is one of the ways it helps to boost your health and longevity, as many degenerative diseases are caused at least in part by the damage that free radicals do in your body.  Studies have shown that higher glutathione levels are linked to increased lifespans as well as a better quality of life. 

Gluathione Helps Detoxify Dangerous Chemicals:  Glutathione also is used in detoxifying many chemicals.  At the turn of the twentieth century, very few man-made chemicals were even in existence, but in the last 100 years, their use has exploded.  Our bodies are superbly designed, and include a detoxification system that helps to eliminate harmful chemicals from our bodies before they can cause damage.   However, we are all overloaded by the huge amount of chemicals in our environment today. 

Some people feel the effects of this toxic overload sooner than others, but many don’t actually feel it until they come down with some type of disease like cancer.  But that does NOT mean that these toxins are not accumulating.  Even heart disease and diabetes, that many assume are caused only by bad diets and bad genes, have a connection with toxins.  For example, doctors are well aware of the fact that heart attack rates increase when outdoor air pollution levels rise, and studies show that there is a possible link between diabetes and the environmental toxins arsenic and dioxin.

Some scientists have called glutathione the most important detoxifying agent in the body after water!

Glutathione Boosts Immune Function:  Glutathione can also be a potent boost to the immune system, and hence is a vital key to wellness.  Your immune system helps to defend your body from foreign invaders and the stronger it is, the less you will get sick, not just with the common cold or the flu, but also with things like cancer.

Research scientist Dr. Gustavo Bounous, from McGill University in Montreal, found that an undenatured whey protein concentrate helped mice to resist disease better, which made them not only live longer, but also better able to ward off cancer.  He also found whey proteins to help HIV positive people to gain weight as well as boost glutathione levels.  (He used 8.4 to 39.2 grams per day of an active, undenatured whey).

Many other scientists have said that studies support the effectiveness of undenatured whey protein concentrate in maintaining a strong immune system.  Some have called Glutathione a “Key to Health.”

Whey Protein Powder and Immune-Boosting Factors

In addition to the amino acids in the whey that help boost gluathione levels and hence the immune system, whey protein powder also contains other powerful immune-supporting components, including lactoferrin and immunoglobulins.  Lactoferrin is found in tears, saliva, breast milk, and other secretions, and helps to ward off attacks by virus, bacteria and fungi pathogens.  As we age, we tend to produce fewer lactoferrins, so supplementing becomes more useful.  Immunoglobulins can also help the body get rid of sources of infection, thereby lowering your rate of common illnesses by boosting your body’s natural defenses.

Whey protein powder also can boost T-cell function, and T-cells fight infection.  So taking whey can help keep you from getting sick as often. 

Some whey protein powder is higher in these immune boosting factors than others, so that’s another thing to look for when you are looking for a good, high quality whey supplement for your diet.

Whey and Cancer

In addition, there have been studies that show that whey protein helped inhibit breast cancer cell growth in test tubes.  It was also shown as effective in preventing breast cancer.  This is probably due to its good effects on the immune system as well as helping increase the body’s natural ability to detoxify chemicals.

Also, since it has also been shown to help decrease wasting of tissues during illness, it can be useful for cancer patients in this way too, as they often have a difficult time keeping their weight and strength up.

Whey Protein Powder and Energy and Endurance

Many have reported that consuming whey protein powder helps to boost their energy and endurance.  This may be because it helps to build muscle mass which in turn has been shown to increase energy levels.

Whey Protein Powder Helps the Body Remove Toxins

As indicated above, certain amino acids in the whey protein powder help the body manufacture more glutathione, and in turn, the glutathione helps the body to remove synthetic chemicals and other toxins.  This is so important in today’s world, I can hardly over-emphasize this point.  For info on how you can reduce your load of toxins coming in, check out our Reducing Toxins Page.

So as you can see, including whey in your diet can give your health a big boost!

Who Can Benefit the Most From Whey Protein Powder?

• Overweight and Obese Individuals
• Bodybuilders and Those with Vigorous Exercise Routines
• Other Athletes
• Vegetarians

But everyone really can benefit, especially because of how whey protein powder helps you to boost your glutathione levels.  But make sure and check our Whey Protein Powder Supplement Page, as some of these supplements help your body to make a lot more glutathione than others!

Whey Protein Powder and Weight

Action Whey™

• High in naturally-occurring immune factors
• From healthy pasture-fed cows
• No casein
• Non-denatured whey protein powder
• whey Concentrate
• Manufactured in the USA