What is whey protein used for?

Whey protein per a que serveix

Medical nutrition and functional foods

Functional foods can be defined as those that provide adequate nutritional effects and, at the same time, offer additional benefits in one or more physiological functions, improving health and well-being or reducing the risk of disease. (1) Whey protein plays a key role in promoting health and in supporting the recovery and treatment of people with both acute and chronic diseases. (2)

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In the clinical setting, a common factor contributing to muscle mass loss and muscle functional impairment in hospitalized patients is insufficient protein intake and malnutrition. This is often due to decreased appetite, difficulties in consuming solid foods, or poor absorption of essential nutrients. (3) During periods of bed rest, whey protein supplementation has been shown to help counteract muscle loss by stimulating muscle protein synthesis and promoting muscle growth. (4) In addition, cancer patients following a whey protein-supplemented diet appear to better tolerate the adverse effects of chemotherapy. (5)

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, have become a major global concern. Globally, NCDs cause approximately 41 million deaths each year, representing 71% of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes being the leading causes. (6) In the European Union, NCDs are the leading cause of preventable mortality, with an estimated disease burden of 80%. (7)

Thanks to its valuable components, such as essential amino acids, antioxidants, functional peptides, and immunoglobulins, whey protein offers a wide range of benefits in the prevention and management of NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and osteoporosis. (8) (9) Several studies have shown that whey protein inhibits the development of different types of tumors and cancers and, therefore, is considered to possess anti-carcinogenic properties. (10) Overall, this evidence suggests that whey protein plays a significant role in addressing and preventing the most common NCDs affecting the global population.

Sports nutrition

The development of muscle mass and overall strength has become an essential component of many people's physical activity routines and is considered one of the most efficient strategies for promoting and maintaining muscle mass. (11) The positive effects of strength training combined with supplementary protein intake are reflected in multiple aspects of overall health and well-being.

whey protein i nutrició esportiva

The benefits of improved muscle health are often perceived through the reduction of pain associated with sedentary lifestyles and muscle deterioration, as well as by the greater ease of performing daily physical activities. Strengthening the body also contributes to the development and maintenance of muscle tone and lean muscle mass, which naturally begin to decline with age, as lean tissue is progressively replaced by adipose tissue. (12) It is widely established that a protein-rich diet combined with resistance training effectively counteracts age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia. (13)

Weight management

The fundamental principle of weight management is to achieve a negative energy balance by consuming fewer calories than the body expends. However, when the body detects a caloric deficit, it activates hunger signals to stimulate increased energy intake. During weight loss processes, it is essential to consume adequate amounts of protein and essential amino acids to prevent the degradation of muscle tissue caused by caloric restriction, which could lead to muscle loss instead of the desired fat loss. High-protein diets promote longer satiety, providing the body with the necessary energy to preserve muscle mass even in situations of caloric deficit, while also promoting fat loss. (14)

whey protein per a que serveix

Specific dietary requirements

• Lactose intolerance: Whey protein isolate and whey protein hydrolysate contain little to no lactose, making them a convenient and well-tolerated protein source for individuals with lactose intolerance.

• Gluten intolerance / celiac disease: Whey protein is naturally gluten-free and therefore safe for consumption by people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

• Vegetarians: Whey protein is an excellent option for vegetarians and flexitarians who want to reduce meat consumption while ensuring adequate protein intake to meet dietary needs and prevent protein deficiencies.

Sources:

  1. Andrade Batista, M., Cruz Arantes Campos, N., Pinto Coelho Silvestre, M., & Yildiz, F. (2018). Whey and protein derivatives: Applications in food products development, technological properties and functional effects on child health. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2(1). March 2018.
  2. Marik, P. E. (2015). Feeding critically ill patients the right “whey”: Thinking outside of the box. A personal view. Annals of Intensive Care, 5(11). May 2015.
  3. Landi, F., Camprubi-Robles, M., Bear, D. E., Cederholm, T., Malafarina, V., Welch, A. A., & Cruz-Jentoft, A. J. (2019). Muscle loss: The new malnutrition challenge in clinical practice. Clinical Nutrition, 38(5), 2113–2120. October 2019.
  4. Coker, R. H., & Wolfe, R. R. (2012). Bedrest and sarcopenia. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 15(1), 7–11. January 2012.
  5. Cereda, E., Turri, A., Klersy, C., Cappello, S., Ferrari, A., Filippi, A. R., Brugnatelli, S., Caraccia, M., Chiellino, S., Borioli, V., Monaco, T., Stella, G. M., Arcaini, L., Benazzo, M., Grugnetti, G., Pedrazzoli, P., & Caccialanza, R. (2019). Whey protein isolate supplementation improves body composition, muscle strength, and treatment tolerance in malnourished advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer Medicine, 8(16), 6923–6932. November 2019.
  6. World Health Organization. (2021). Noncommunicable diseases – Fact sheet. April 2021.
  7. European Commission. (n.d.). Public health overview of non-communicable diseases. European Union.
  8. Patel, S. (2015). Emerging trends in nutraceutical applications of whey protein and its derivatives. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(11), 6847–6858. November 2015.
  9. Sousa, G. T. D., Lira, F. S., Rosa, J. C., de Oliveira, E. P., Oyama, L. M., Santos, R. V., & Pimentel, G. D. (2012). Dietary whey protein lessens several risk factors for metabolic diseases: A review. Lipids in Health and Disease, June 2012.
  10. Bounous, G., Batist, G., & Gold, P. (1991). Whey proteins in cancer prevention. Cancer Letters, 57(2), 91–94. May 1991.
  11. Krzysztofik, M., Wilk, M., Wojdała, G., & Gołaś, A. (2019). Maximizing muscle hypertrophy: A systematic review of advanced resistance training techniques and methods. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 4897. December 2019.
  12. Siparsky, P. N., Kirkendall, D. T., & Garrett, W. E. Jr. (2014). Muscle changes in aging: Understanding sarcopenia. Sports Health, 6(1), 36–40. January 2014.
  13. Frestedt, J. L., Zenk, J. L., Kuskowski, M. A., Ward, L. S., & Bastian, E. D. (2008). A whey-protein supplement increases fat loss and spares lean muscle in obese subjects: A randomized human clinical study. Nutrition & Metabolism, 5(8). March 2008.