Whey Protein: Health Benefits, Side Effects and Dangers

20 April 2023

Whey protein has taken the fitness world by storm. Every active gym-goer can be found using whey protein supplements. Whey protein is believed to be helpful in boosting muscle recovery speed and enhancing muscle gain and strength. It also assists in developing lean mass.

Bodybuilders looking maximizing their muscle gain and build lean muscle mass is the major whey protein benefits.

What is Whey?

The watery portion of the milk which is separated from the curd at the time of making cheese is known as whey. Whey protein is derived from the dairy sources and is said to be the best protein. It is believed to be digested easily as compared to other proteins.

What is Whey Protein Made Up of?

While it is a well-known fact that whey protein is obtained from dairy sources, what you must also know is that it is a combination of bovine serum albumin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and immunoglobins.

Why are Bodybuilders so Inclined Towards Whey Protein?

Whey protein has been researched upon a lot and there are various health benefits of whey protein that makes it popular among the community of bodybuilders especially. Those who train hard and are looking forward to building impressive muscles consume whey protein.

5 Health Benefits of Consuming Whey Protein

Your partner in weight loss: Whey protein is said to have positive effects on weight loss. Protein is said to be a fulfilling nutrient and keeps you full. So your hunger and cravings are reduced which results in reduced calorie intake. Protein supplied to your body is when enough, your body uses fats to produce energy for your workout and you, in turn, lose weight. Various studies have also shown that people who consume whey protein are more likely to build up lean muscle mass than those who don’t consume it.
Helps in maintaining cholesterol levels: As per a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, 70 obese men and women were given whey supplements for around 12 weeks and they were monitored on various parameters like lipid and insulin levels. A notable reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed by the end of 12^th week in the whey consuming group as compared to the casein consuming group.
Preventing weight loss in HIV positive people: HIV patients often face the problem of weight loss. According to a study published in Clinical and Investigative Medicine, whey protein is beneficial for HIV positive people as it helps control excessive weight loss in them.

Undoubtedly, whey protein has a variety of benefits to offer but it comes with certain drawbacks. Though whey protein is an easily digestible protein still some people can suffer from possible side effects of whey protein.

Side Effects of Whey Protein

Likely to stir stomach troubles: Whey protein digests easily as compared to other proteins, still, some people might experience digestive disorders or discomfort in their stomach. They might feel nauseated and experience gas, bloating, cramps, headache, fatigue and low appetite.
Skin problems: While this might not necessarily happen to everyone who consumes whey protein but consuming it in high doses can result in skin troubles like acne.
Weight gain: Yes, you read that right! While whey protein along with intense workout and strength and resistance training might help in weight loss and building up of lean muscle mass, consuming whey protein alone without any physical activity can make you gain weight in forms of fat.
Problems for people allergic to milk: People who have an allergy to milk and especially whey would face issues consuming whey protein. They need to consult their dietitian or physician prior to consuming it or else complications can occur.
Nutritional deficiencies and constipation: Whole foods give you complete nutrition and thus cannot be overlooked. One should not solely depend on whey protein supplements for their daily nutrition intake. Not eating a healthy diet and fibre-rich food while consuming whey protein can create nutritional deficiencies.

Though constipation is not common with whey protein takers, some might face it. This usually happens with people who miss out on fruits and vegetables while taking whey protein. Eating fibre-rich food will help in having a smooth bowel movement.

Possible Dangers of Consuming Whey Protein

Risk of heart diseases: Overconsumption of whey protein is not good for your heart. It should be consumed within the prescribed limit. Professionals state that consuming excess whey protein can increase the risk of getting a cardiac arrest, an imbalanced heartbeat rhythm or in worst situations it can even lead to a total loss of heart functions.
Might be harmful to people with kidney disease: Though it is a myth that having a high-protein diet can cause damage to kidneys, but certain studies have found evidence that consuming high-protein diet or excessive protein supplements can be harmful to people with prevailing kidney disease. It might damage their kidneys.

Beware of Toxic Supplements

Some whey protein powder supplements available in the market have heavy toxic metals added in them

If you buy high-quality protein powders from trusted brands, you are less likely to be exposed to this danger. There are various whey protein supplements in the market which contain toxic metals and other elements which are hazardous to your health. The poor regulation and control of the supplement industry are responsible for this. So if you are not cautious while buying yourself a protein, you might land yourself into trouble.

There ain’t no problem with no solution. It just takes the right efforts in the right direction to solve any issue.

MuscleBlaze just hit the spot with Biozyme Whey Isolate, a nutritious supplement crafted to fulfil the daily protein requirement of Indians.

With Biozyme Whey Isolate you can rest assured with the quality as the protein is derived from the best sources. It has been especially customized for Indian bodies keeping in mind the Indian dietary habits.

With MuscleBlaze Biozyme Whey Isolate you can expect to get:

50% higher protein absorption
60% higher BCAA absorption
60% of lower stomach discomfort

Takeaway

With recommended use of Biozyme Whey Isolate, you can expect to maximize your muscle gain. Its build lean muscle mass, enable faster muscle recovery and increase muscle strength and size.

Everything has its merits and demerits. It depends on how you put that thing to use. Whey protein is proven to show positive results on your body to maximizing muscle gain & building lean muscle mass. When you combine healthy and fibre-rich diet, proper training and exercises along with consuming whey protein on daily basis.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/ldl-cholesterol-the-bad-cholesterol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%92-Lactoglobulin