From the Mayo Clinic, here are some great reasons to incorporate whey into your diet:
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 suppressantAs 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 |
DiabetesWhey protein may improve some symptoms of diabetes. Additional research is needed in this area. |
B |
Enhanced muscle mass / strengthWhey protein may increase muscle mass and muscle strength. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made. |
B |
Weight lossThe 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 |
AcneBased 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 densityWhey protein may improve bone density. Additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. |
C |
BronchospasmBased 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 |
BurnsA product containing ultra-filtered whey protein may have positive benefits for patients with burns. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. |
C |
CancerBased 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 riskEarly 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 |
ConstipationInfant formula containing whey protein hydrolysates may have positive benefits for infants with constipation. Further study is needed. |
C |
Cystic fibrosisWhey 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 plaqueBased 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 |
DiarrheaWhey protein may aid in the prevention of diarrhea caused by bacterial infection. Additional research is needed in this area. |
C |
EczemaInfant 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 lossBased 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 |
HepatitisAlthough not well studied in humans, whey protein may have liver protective effects. High quality clinical studies are needed. |
C |
High blood pressureBased on limited human study, whey protein may lower blood pressure. Further well-designed study is required before conclusions can be made. |
C |
HIVWhey protein may have beneficial effects in individuals with HIV. Further study is required before conclusions can be made. |
C |
Immune functionSome study suggests that whey protein may have beneficial effects on immune function. Additional studies are needed in this area. |
C |
Mitochondrial diseasesBased on early study, whey protein may aid in the reduction of oxidative stress in individuals with mitochondrial diseases. Further study is needed. |
C |
PsoriasisPreliminary 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 |
StressAlpha-lactalbumin, a whey protein, may aid in the decrease of stress. Further study on whey protein is required before conclusions can be made. |
