Supplemental whey protein has a number of beneficial effects. Whey can be used as a method to increase protein intake and therefore facilitates a greater intake of total dietary protein. This in turn can facilitate a positive nitrogen balance by increasing nitrogen intake, and this can promote skeletal muscle growth. However, whey protein has a number of other health effects that are worthy of consideration. In particular, whey protein contains a number of milk proteins such as α-lactoferrin, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin, and these may have immune stimulating effects. Regular consumption of whey protein may therefore promote improved immune responses to infectious agents, and thus limits the risk of infections. Whey protein may also inhibit oxidative stress. This relates to a number of amino acids within whey protein that can act as substrates for the synthesis of certain antioxidant compounds within cells such as glutathione peroxidase, and the fact that some amino acids such as cysteine, may act directly as antioxidants.
Studies show that 28 grams of whey protein twice as day is an effective way to lower blood pressure in healthy subjects with mildly elevated blood pressure. Evidence shows that flow mediated dilation, a measure of endothelial dysfunction and likely cause of high blood pressure, was significantly improved with whey protein supplements. Whey protein supplements also reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Casein protein may also improve flow mediated dilation and lower total cholesterol. As casein and whey protein are both milk proteins, this may explain some of the health effects of regular consumption of dairy.
Antioxidants may reduce blood pressure. This relates to the fact that nitric oxides is required for the correct relaxation of blood vessels. However, nitric oxide synthase, the enzyme that synthesises nitric oxide is inhibited by free radicals. Antioxidants can therefore prevent the generation of free radicals that inhibit nitric oxide synthesis, and thus facilitate the relaxation of blood vessels and the lowering of blood pressure. Whey protein may therefore be expected to lower blood pressure due to its ability to improve antioxidant status. Studies have investigated the effects of whey protein on blood pressures and shown that significant reductions in blood pressure occurred in healthy subjects with mildly elevated blood pressure when 28 grams of whey protein were consumed twice per day (-23.9 mm Hg; for systolic blood pressure and -22.5 mm Hg for diastolic pressure), compared to a control. Whey protein also lowered total cholesterol and triglyceride levels whereas casein protein only lowered total cholesterol.
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