WHEY PROTEIN

WHAT IS WHEY PROTEIN?

Whey protein is extracted from whey. Whey is the watery portion of milk which is separated from the curd after the extraction of cheese. It is one of the primary proteins found in dairy products. It is used as a protein supplement. It is in powdered form which can be either added to liquids or soft foods. The protein consists of lactalbumin, lactoglobulin, albumin and immunoglobulins. The lactose content is low in it.

OTHER DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROTEIN

Whey protein is the most popular among protein powders. However, there are various different types of protein powders:

• Casein: It is the other protein which is present in milk. It is rich in glutamine amino acid. This protein is digested slowly in body and is not suitable for people with milk allergy.
• Soy: It consists of all types of amino acids. It is a very good alternative for whey or casein protein.
• Pea: Pea protein is a good source of arginine amino acid. It is present in near about all the plant based protein powders. It is a very good alternative for dairy based proteins.
• Hemp: Hemp seeds are rich in both proteins and essential fatty acids. It is thus an excellent choice for those people which are having dairy products or soya protein allergies.

OTHER NAMES OF WHEY PROTEIN

Whey protein is known by other names also:

• Whey concentrate
• Whey isolate
• Whey hydrolysate
• Hydrolysed whey

WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF WHEY PROTEIN?

Some of the benefits of consuming whey protein are:

• It helps in increasing muscle mass and muscle strength. As it is a good source of various essential amino acids, it is widely used by athletes, bodybuilders, etc.
• Those people who want to increase their body weight but trouble gaining weight, whey protein is very helpful.
• It helps in lowering of blood pressure.
• Whey protein may help in moderating the level of sugar in blood.
• It is good for reduction of short term inflammation. It is thus good for atopic dermatitis, allergies, wounds and burns.
• It helps in increasing immunity of body by increasing the amount of antioxidants in blood.
• It gives a feeling of satiety to the body as it gives a more feeling of fullness. Thus it helps in reducing hunger.

WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF EATING WHEY PROTEIN?

Though now-a-days consumption of whey protein is a trend and it is considered to be a very good health supplement. But actually it has very harmful effects on body. Following are the harmful effects of intake of whey protein:

• Whey protein consumption leads to improper functioning of kidney leading to formation of kidney stones as it increases the urea levels in blood.
• It leads to depletion of good bacteria in the alimentary canal and increase of bad bacteria in it leading to stomach pain, bloating and constipation.
• If the lifestyle is sedentary, then the liver due to improper processing of nutrients and proteins, can result in liver damage.
• Over consumption of whey protein leads to heart problems such irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest and heart failure.
• Whey protein decreases the pH level of blood which normal ranges between 7.35 to 7.45. This leads to increasing our acidic level of blood.
• Excessive weight gain as whey protein contains extra carbohydrates in the form of sugars.
• There is presence of lactose in whey protein. If a person is sensitive to it, it can lead to digestive problems like abdominal pain, gas and bloating.
• The consumption of whey protein can lead to mineral imbalance in the body. It leads to decrease in bone density.
• Excessive intake of whey protein leads to increase in protein content and deficiency of other essential nutrients.