Whey Protein Dangers, Side Effects, Benefits And Reviews

Whey Protein is called thus as it is obtained from Whey which is the liquid that is left behind after milk is curdled and strained, it is a by-product of the cheese manufacturing process. It is a compound composed of proteins obtained from whey. It is commonly and widely used as a health supplement as it is an excellent source of protein. It has a high nutritional value and there are many benefits of whey protein. However there are considerable side effects as well. It is important to monitor the amount of protein one is consuming through his or her diet. Additional amount of protein in any form, even as whey protein can cause a lot of side effects. One must remember that the daily requirement of protein is one gram per pound of body weight. Anything taken in excess is harmful.

The commonly seen side effects and dangers because of Whey protein are as follows:

Lactose Intolerance is one of the commonest side effects. Whey protein is derived from milk and contains about 5 % to 6 % of lactose. People suffering from lactose intolerance are unable to digest lactose which is sugar of milk. Lactose is present in Whey protein and hence people suffering from intolerance to lactose are unable to handle whey protein as well. They may develop symptoms like abdominal cramps, abdominal bloating, flatulence, nausea and diarrhoea. The symptoms develop 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption of dairy products or any product containing lactose. For this reason whey protein is available as an isolate and as a concentrate. Those suffering from lactose intolerance are advised whey protein isolate as it contains less amounts of lactose.

Ketosis is another common side effect of Whey Protein. It is a condition in which there are high levels of ketone bodies in the blood. Ketone bodies are produced by the liver by a process called ketogenesis, this condition occurs when ever the glycogen stores in the liver are depleted. This happens when a person is on a low carbohydrate and high protein diet. In the body, normally, carbohydrates are burnt first and used as a source of energy, next fats are burnt and in severe cases when fats and carbohydrates are unavailable, then proteins are used to provide energy to the body. In cases where a person is on a high protein and low carbohydrate diet, the body uses fat as its primary fuel. Liver damage due to ketosis is seen.

Kidney damage is also one of the dangers, and formation of kidney stones is common.

Osteoporosis has been said to be caused as a result of overuse of Whey protein according to some studies. This is still up for debate however because there has been no concrete evidence connecting to two, the studies only suggest.

Cystine is an amino acid which is essential for the production of glutathione. Cystine is present in most whey protein supplements as denatured cystine. Denatured cystine is produced when dairy products are put through various chemical or physical processes. For example when milk is pasteurised cystine is converted into the denatured form which makes it unavailable for usage by the body. So also the processing of whey in order to manufacture whey protein makes the protein denatured and unavailable for use by the body.

Another problem is the presence of artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which is a neuro toxin and dangerous for health.

Whey protein has drug interactions with Levodopa, Quinolones, tetracyclines, Fosomax etc. Use of Whey protein with these drugs is not advised as it interferes with the action of these drugs.

Reviews

Whey Protein is derived from whey which is a by product of the cheese manufacturing process. It is a rich source of protein and is widely used as a dietary supplement. It is rich source of amino acids like leucine, cystine etc. Leucine plays an important role in stimulating protein synthesis. It aids speedy recovery and helps the body adapt to stress. Cystine is important in the production of glutathione which itself is an antioxidant in the body. Glutathione is an antioxidant and prevents the body from free radical damage. There are studies which show that it may reduce the risk of cancer. Whey protein is widely used by athletes, body builders and wrestlers who require high amounts of proteins due to strenuous physical training.

Benefits of Whey Protein are as follows: It is useful for body building. Helps enhance muscle building capacity. Improved fat oxidation process to produce energy in the body. It reduced oxidative damage to the cells.

There are many side effects noticed due to excess whey protein consumption. Some of the side effects are as follows:

Lactose intolerance is one of the side effects of whey protein consumption. As it is derived from whey which is ultimately a milk derived product, it contains lactose. The amount of lactose present is about 5 to 6 %. Those people suffering from lactose intolerance are unable to digest any product that contains lactose in it. Thus whey protein consumption in such people may not be advisable. The individual suffering from lactose intolerance may develop loose motions, abdominal pain, flatulence, distension of the abdomen, in a span of 30 minutes to 2 hours following consumption of any product containing lactose.

Another important side effect of whey protein usage is ketosis. This means over production of ketone bodies in the body. This is produced by the liver by a process called ketogenesis. This occurs when the glycogen stores in the liver are depleted. Liver damage can occur due to ketosis.

Osteoporosis is one of the side effects of over use of whey protein. Kidney damage too could occur and there can be formation of renal stones. Kidney damage is one of the dreaded complications of whey protein usage. Another problem is the presence of artificial sweeteners like aspartame in whey protein which is neuro toxic.

Whey protein also produces drug interactions with many commonly used drugs. Some of the drugs are quinolones, Levodopa, Tetracyclines etc. The efficacy of these drugs is reduced when taken along with whey protein. The absorption of these drugs from the intestines is reduced.

One must remember that the daily requirement of protein by an individual is 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Overall the reviews of whey protein show that each one has to weigh the pros and cons or the benefits and ill effects of this product on their own health. Final decision of whey protein usage must be made based on the physician’s advice, which depends on the state of health, age of the person and the daily requirements of the individual.

 

Putting up some body muscles and toning them up to create a well sculptured body requires more protein intake. If you are trying to build your muscles to possess a great body then you should take a lot of protein. Protein is also good for the immunity system and heals wounds faster.  Aside from protein diet in food intake, you need a food supplement that comes in capsule, tablet or pill. Now there are other forms that you can have protein in your body in the form of juice, bars and powder. What’s good with protein powder is that it takes only 30 minutes for the body to absorb it. Not all proteins are effective for building up body muscles like the protein we get from meat. The best protein for body building is whey, casein, eggs and soy.

Protein Powder Reviews have showed:

a)       Whey – most commonly used protein, fast acting and releases amino acids immediately for 2 to 3 hours;

b)      Casein – extremely slow digesting protein but continues to release amino acids longer than whey (7 hours).  It is recommended to take this before going to bed.  The slow release of amino acids will help preserve muscle tissue;

c)      Egg – has highest content of amino acids and, also has highest rating of protein efficiency;

d)     Soy – good source is soya beans.  It helps to lower cholesterol.  Usually good for women than men.  It is not recommended for men to take this every day.

How much protein intake you need per day?  It entirely depends on your daily activities.  If you are an athlete or a body builder, you need more than what a normal activities require.

Search for some protein powder reviews for you to learn more about Protein powder and it being one of the most effective if you take it as a power drink or even eat it for dessert. You can have this power drink in the morning, as a snack, in between meals, with meals, before going to sleep, or after a workout, but not before or during a workout.

Look for whey protein powder reviews if you want to know what to consider when you are looking for a protein powder:  First, you need to check if it has natural ingredients.  Is it low on sugar?  Does it contain some vitamins and minerals that your body needs?  Is it good for your overall health?  And does it taste good?  For the taste, you can have it with a fruit like in a fruit shake for that power drink. Protein powder fruit shake is good for a meal replacement if you’re on a diet that requires you to eat small meals.

When protein powder is taken as a drink, it breaks down and releases nitrogen, aside from amino acids, and this nitrogen is flushed out through the kidneys.  That’s why people who take protein powder drink will have to release nitrogen through frequent urination. This frequency can cause stress to your kidneys.  So if you have kidney problems, this can be harmful to you.  If you don’t have a kidney problem, then it is alright even if you take too much protein as there are no studies that showed that excessive protein is harmful.
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