Whey protein


Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Allergies (prevention)
Hydrolysed whey protein formula may be effective in preventing some allergies. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		A
Nutritional supplement (protein source)
Whey protein is considered an excellent source of protein. Research is ongoing in this area. 		A
Appetite suppressant
As a source of high nutritional quality protein, whey protein has been found to reduce short-term food intake and may aid in reducing appetite. Additional studies are required before firm conclusions can be made. 		B
Diabetes
Whey protein may improve some symptoms of diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area. 		B
Enhanced muscle mass / strength
Whey protein may increase muscle mass and muscle strength. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made. 		B
Weight loss
The role of whey protein in appetite and body weight control has been studied. Whey protein may aid in weight loss, however, further study is required to confirm study findings. 		B
Acne
Based on limited study, a product containing lactoferrin, a whey protein, may improve the symptoms of acne. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Allergies (treatment)
Based on limited study, whey protein may have positive benefits in patients with atopic asthma or atopic dermatitis. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Based on limited study, a product containing whey protein may have beneficial effects on patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Bone density
Whey protein may improve bone density. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Bronchospasm
Based on limited study, a product containing whey protein, may have positive benefits for individuals with bronchospasm. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Burns
A product containing ultra-filtered whey protein may have positive benefits for patients with burns. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Cancer
Based on limited study, whey protein may have positive benefits for patients with cancer. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Cardiovascular disease risk
Early study suggests that whey protein may aid in reducing the risk of heart disease. However, further research is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Whey protein has been shown to improve lung function in some studies of patients with COPD. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Cognition (mental processes)
Based on limited study, a product containing alpha-lactalbumin may have positive benefits for individuals in terms of mental processes. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Constipation
Infant formula containing whey protein hydrolysates may have positive benefits for infants with constipation. Further study is needed. 		C
Cystic fibrosis
Whey protein may have some positive effects in individuals with cystic fibrosis, such as increased weight gain. Additional research is needed in this area. 		C
Dental plaque
Based on limited study, a toothpaste product containing whey protein may have positive benefits for individuals with dental plaque. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Dialysis (phosphate levels)
Based on limited study, a low-phosphorus, low-potassium whey protein product may have positive benefits on phosphate levels in individuals undergoing dialysis. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Diarrhea
Whey protein may aid in the prevention of diarrhea caused by bacterial infection. Additional research is needed in this area. 		C
Eczema
Infant formula containing whey protein may have positive benefits for infants predisposed to eczema. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Exercise performance (and recovery)
Whey protein may have beneficial effects on exercise performance and recovery. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Fatigue (in spinal injury)
Based on limited study, a product containing whey protein may have positive benefits for individuals with fatigue due to spinal injury. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (associated with neurological impairment)
A product containing whey protein may have positive benefits for individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with neurological impairment. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Gastrointestinal disorders (short gut syndrome)
A product containing whey protein may have positive benefits for individuals with short gut syndrome. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Hearing loss
Based on limited study, a product containing whey protein may not have positive benefits for individuals with hearing loss. Further study is needed to confirm early study findings. 		C
Hepatitis
Although not well studied in humans, whey protein may have liver protective effects. High quality clinical studies are needed. 		C
High blood pressure
Based on limited human study, whey protein may lower blood pressure. Further well-designed study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
HIV
Whey protein may have beneficial effects in individuals with HIV. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Immune function
Some study suggests that whey protein may have beneficial effects on immune function. Additional studies are needed in this area. 		C
Mitochondrial diseases
Based on early study, whey protein may aid in the reduction of oxidative stress in individuals with mitochondrial diseases. Further study is needed. 		C
Psoriasis
Preliminary study suggests that a specific whey protein extract may aid in the decrease of symptoms associated with psoriasis. Further well-designed study investigating the effects of whey protein alone is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Stress
Alpha-lactalbumin, a whey protein, may aid in the decrease of stress. Further study on whey protein is required before conclusions can be made. 		C

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Adrenal gland stimulation, aging, alertness, analgesic (painkiller), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic (kills parasites), antitoxin (antipoison), antiviral, asthma, blood thinner, bodybuilding, cavities, colds/flu, diarrhea (HIV), epilepsy (seizures), fertility (ability to produce offspring), food uses, gastrointestinal disorders (general), growth, heart disease, heavy metal/lead toxicity, Helicobacter pylori infection, high cholesterol, kidney stones, lactation (breastfeeding), lactose intolerance, liver protection, low blood pressure (after meals in the elderly), memory, mood, muscle atrophy (loss of muscle mass), obesity, peritoneal dialysis (treatment for severe kidney disease), phenylketonuria (genetic disorder), rickets (softening and weakening of bones), skin conditions, sleep, tuberculosis, vaccine adjunct (treatment used together with vaccine), weight gain, wound healing.

Dosing Related terms
NS_patient-wheyprotein Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 1, 2012

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger