WHEY
Whey proteins are easily digested, completely bio-available and have excellent metabolic efficiency. Whey proteins contain all the essential amino acids in optimal proportions.
There are numerous commercial sports nutrition products available in North America today that use whey proteins as the main protein source. The categories that incorporate whey proteins as the basic part of their nutritional profile are high protein products such as meal replacements, weight-gain products, and pre–workout supplements.
The American College of Sports Medicine, the American Dietetic Association, and the Dietitians of Canada, in their recent joint position about nutrition and athletic performance, concluded that protein requirements are higher in very active individuals and suggested that resistance athletes need 1.6-1.7 g protein/kg body weight while endurance athletes need approximately 1.2-1.4 g protein/kg, values that are about 150-200 percent of the current United States Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Whey protein is rich in these amino acids. Studies indicated that consumption of a drink containing about 0.1 gram of essential amino acids per kilogram of body weight (7grams for a 70-kilogram athlete) during the first few hours of recovery from heavy resistance exercise will produce a transient, net positive increase in muscle protein balance.
Amino acid supplementation in combination with physical activity stimulates the transport of amino acids into the muscles. There is a direct correlation between inward amino acid transport and muscle protein synthesis
Whey contains high levels of Arginine and Lysine both believed to stimulate growth hormone release, and increase muscle mass while decreasing body fat. Glutamine is another important component of Whey proteins; it promotes muscle glycogen recovery and prevents immune function suppression from overtraining.
Whey proteins are considered as a good source of sulfur-containing amino acids such as Cysteine and Methionine which are responsible for maintaining antioxidant levels in the body. These amino acids are thought to stabilize DNA during cell division.
In comparison to most other protein sources, Whey proteins are unique in their ability to optimize several aspects of the immune function. Whey proteins seem to modulate the immune function by boosting glutathione production. Glutathione is the first line of the body’s antioxidant defense system that regulates many components of immune function. Muscle glutamine is another essential fuel for immune function that can be provided by Whey protein supplementation.
Whey proteins are also rich in Arginine and Lysine. Arginine and Lysine are among the amino acids that seem to stimulate growth hormone, an anabolic hormone or stimulator for muscle growth.
Whey protein encompasses a variety of fractions including the major bovine proteins alphalactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin, and minor fractions such as serum proteins, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and tissue growth factors. Recent clinical trials have also shown that dietary intakes of dairy products may protect against excess adiposity.
Whey proteins have received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe ) from the FDA.
