Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: a review

Lipids Health Dis. 2012 Jul 10:11:67. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-11-67.

Abstract

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have grown in prevalence around the world, and recently, related diseases have been considered epidemic. Given the high cost of treatment of obesity/DM-associated diseases, strategies such as dietary manipulation have been widely studied; among them, the whey protein diet has reached popularity because it has been suggested as a strategy for the prevention and treatment of obesity and DM in both humans and animals. Among its main actions, the following activities stand out: reduction of serum glucose in healthy individuals, impaired glucose tolerance in DM and obese patients; reduction in body weight; maintenance of muscle mass; increases in the release of anorectic hormones such as cholecystokinin, leptin, and glucagon like-peptide 1 (GLP-1); and a decrease in the orexigenic hormone ghrelin. Furthermore, studies have shown that whey protein can also lead to reductions in blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
  • Dietary Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Milk Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Risk Factors
  • Whey Proteins

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins
  • Milk Proteins
  • Whey Proteins