Whey Protein
Whey is the natural by-product of the cheese-making process (it is the liquid part of milk that remains after the manufacture of cheese). It is a complete protein, with all the essential amino acids and with the highest protein quality rating among all proteins. The biological components of whey demonstrate immune-enhancing, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Whey Protein Isolate (like the ISM whey protein) is the most pure and concentrated form, and delivers more essential amino acids to the body when compared to other proteins on a gram-to-gram basis. Dosage varies. Athletes, and those who use it as a protein supplement, may take up to 10-25 grams or more a day.
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Some recent experiments in rodents indicate that the antitumor activity of the dairy products is in the protein fraction and more specifically in the whey protein component of milk. We and others have demonstrated that whey protein diets result in increased glutathione (GSH) concentration in a number of tissues, and that some of the beneficial effects of whey protein intake are abrogated by inhibition of GSH synthesis. Whey protein is particularly rich in substrates for GSH synthesis. We suggest that whey protein may be exerting its effect on carcinogenesis by enhancing GSH concentration.
o Bounous, G, Batist, P, & Gold, P (1991). Whey proteins in cancer prevention. Cancer Lett, 57(2), 91-4.
The glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system is the principal protective mechanism of the cell and is a crucial factor in the development of the immune response by the immune cells. Experimental data demonstrate that a cysteine-rich whey protein concentrate represents an effective cysteine delivery system for GSH replenishment during the immune response. Animal experiments showed that the concentrates of whey protein also exhibit anticancer activity. They do this via the GSH pathway, the induction of p53 protein in transformed cells and inhibition of neoangiogenesis.o Bounous, GH, & Molson, JH (2003). The antioxidant system. Anticancer Res, 23(2), 1411-5.
Whey has the ability to act as an antioxidant, antihypertensive, antitumor, hypolipidemic, antiviral, antibacterial, and chelating agent. The primary mechanism by which whey is thought to exert its effects is by intracellular conversion of the amino acid cysteine to glutathione, a potent intracellular antioxidant. A number of clinical trials have successfully been performed using whey in the treatment of cancer, HIV, hepatitis B, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and as an antimicrobial agent. Whey protein has also exhibited benefit in the arena of exercise performance and enhancement.o Marshall, K (2004).Therapeutic applications of whey protein. Altern Med Rev, 9(2), 136-56.
Glutathione (GSH) concentration is high in most tumour cells and this may be an important factor in resistance to chemotherapy……….These results indicate that whey protein concentrate might deplete tumour cells of GSH and render them more vulnerable to chemotherapy.o Kennedy, RS, Konok, GP, Bounous, G, & Baruchel, S (1995). The use of a whey protein concentrate in the treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma: a phase I-II clinical study. Anticancer Res, 15(6), 2643-9.
We evaluated partially hydrolyzed whey protein (WPH) for inhibitory effects on the development of colon aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and intestinal tumors in azoxymethane (AOM)-treated rats…….. At this time point, differences in colon tumor incidence with diet were not observed; however, WPH-fed rats had fewer tumors in the small intestine.
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Xiao, R et al (2006).Dietary whey protein lowers serum C-peptide concentration and duodenal SREBP-1c mRNA abundance, and reduces occurrence of duodenal tumors and colon aberrant crypt foci in azoxymethane-treated male rats. J Nutr Biochem, 17(9), 626-34.The impact of different dietary protein sources (whey, casein, soybean, red meat) on the incidence, burden and mass index of intestinal tumors induced by dimethylhydrazine in male Sprague-Dawley rats was assessed……. Whatever the mechanism(s), dairy proteins, and whey proteins in particular, offer considerable protection to the host against dimethylhydrazine-induced tumors relative to the other protein sources examined.o
McIntosh, GH, Regester, GO, Le Leu, RK, Royle, PJ, & Smithers, GW (1995). Dairy proteins protect against dimethylhydrazine-induced intestinal cancers in rats. J Nutr, 125(4), 809-16.This study investigates the influence of two formula diets containing 20 g/100 g diet of either whey protein concentrate or casein or Purina mouse chow, on the humoral immune responsiveness and dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis in A/J mice…….In conclusion, a whey protein diet appears to significantly inhibit the incidence and growth of chemically induced colon tumors in mice.o
Bounous, G, Papenburg, R, Kongshavn, PA, Gold, P, & Fleiszer, D (1988). Dietary whey protein inhibits the development of dimethylhydrazine induced malignancy. Clin Invest Med, 11(3), 213-7. Milk contains rumenic acid, vaccenic acid, branched chain fatty acids, butyric acid, cysteine-rich whey proteins, calcium and vitamin D; components, which have the potential to help prevent breast cancer.o
Parodi, PW (2005).Dairy Product Consumption and the Risk of Breast Cancer. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 24. Results from animal studies suggest that whey protein, but not casein protein, may provide protective effects against experimentally induced breast cancer in animals……. These results suggest that consumption of whey protein-containing diets may reduce the risk of developing colon tumors.o
Hakkak, R, Korourian, S, Ronis, MJ, Johnston, JM, & Badger, TM (2001). Dietary whey protein protects against azoxymethane-induced colon tumors in male rats. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 10 (5), 555-8. The glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system is foremost among the cellular protective mechanisms. Depletion of this small molecule is a common consequence of increased formation of reactive oxygen species during increased cellular activities……… Case reports are presented which strongly suggest an anti-tumor effect of a whey protein dietary supplement in some urogenital cancers.o
Bounous, G (2000).Whey protein concentrate (WPC) and glutathione modulation in cancer treatment. Anticancer Res, 20(6), 4785-92.