Psycho-Babble Alternative Thread 509500

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What's so great about Whey Protein?

Posted by Sarah T. on June 8, 2005, at 1:23:00

Lately, I've been seeing so much whey protein at the natural foods store. Has anyone noticed any spectacular results from adding whey protein to their diet?

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » Sarah T.

Posted by Larry Hoover on June 10, 2005, at 18:21:03

In reply to What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by Sarah T. on June 8, 2005, at 1:23:00

> Lately, I've been seeing so much whey protein at the natural foods store. Has anyone noticed any spectacular results from adding whey protein to their diet?

I generally feel better when I include it, and I can't really give you anything other than hunches about why. One is that it's pretty much pre-digested (if you're using the hydrolyzed version). The aminos are already ready to go. Quick absorption, all the essential ones are present.

The other one is less probable, but certainly possible. The whey might contain small peptide fragments that are modulatory in our own bodies. Endorphins are an example of small peptide fragments with a large effect.

<shrug>

Lar

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?

Posted by Ktemene on June 10, 2005, at 19:32:22

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on June 10, 2005, at 18:21:03

Did you see Lotus' post above? Lotus mentions a possible explanation.

poster:lotus thread:499728
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050510/msgs/499728.html


> > Lately, I've been seeing so much whey protein at the natural foods store. Has anyone noticed any spectacular results from adding whey protein to their diet?
>
> I generally feel better when I include it, and I can't really give you anything other than hunches about why. One is that it's pretty much pre-digested (if you're using the hydrolyzed version). The aminos are already ready to go. Quick absorption, all the essential ones are present.
>
> The other one is less probable, but certainly possible. The whey might contain small peptide fragments that are modulatory in our own bodies. Endorphins are an example of small peptide fragments with a large effect.
>
> <shrug>
>
> Lar
>
>

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » Larry Hoover

Posted by Sarah T. on June 11, 2005, at 0:45:25

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » Sarah T., posted by Larry Hoover on June 10, 2005, at 18:21:03

Thanks, Larry. It sounds as if it's worth a try. Do you recommend any particular brand?

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » Ktemene

Posted by Sarah T. on June 11, 2005, at 0:48:07

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by Ktemene on June 10, 2005, at 19:32:22

Hi, Ktemene.
Thanks for the link to Lotus' post. What a coincidence. Just the other day, I read something on another site about lactalbumin improving sleep and morning alertness. I wonder whether my health food store carries it.

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?

Posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 3:03:32

In reply to What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by Sarah T. on June 8, 2005, at 1:23:00

> Lately, I've been seeing so much whey protein at the natural foods store. Has anyone noticed any spectacular results from adding whey protein to their diet?

This may be one possible reason.

One recent study examined whether alpha-lactalbumin-a major subfraction found in whey that has an especially high tryptophan content-would increase plasma tryptophan levels as well reduce depression and cortisol concentrations in subjects under acute stress considered to be vulnerable to stress. It's important to note that levels of alpha-lactalbumin and other important subfractions can vary greatly and depend on how the whey is processed. Some whey products on the market contain very little alpha-lactalbumin and other active subfractions (i.e. lactoferrin). The researchers examined 29 "highly stress-vulnerable subjects" and 29 "relatively stress-invulnerable" subjects using a double blind, placebo-controlled study design. The study participants were exposed to experimental stress after eating a diet enriched with either alpha-lactalbumin (found in whey) or sodium-caseinate, another milk based protein. They researchers looked at:


Diet-induced changes in the plasma tryptophan and its ratio to other large neutral amino acids
Prolactin levels
Changes in mood and pulse rate
Cortisol levels (which were assessed before and after the stressor)
Amazingly, the ratio of plasma tryptophan to the other amino acids tested was 48% higher after the alpha-lactalbumin diet than after the casein diet! This was accompanied by a decrease in cortisol levels and higher prolactin concentration. Perhaps most important and relevant to the average person reading this article, they found "reduced depressive feelings" when test subjects were put under stress. They concluded, "Consumption of a dietary protein enriched in tryptophan increased the plasma Trp-LNAA ratio and, in stress-vulnerable subjects, improved coping ability, probably through alterations in brain serotonin." This effect was not seen in the sodium-caseinate group. If other studies can confirm these findings, whey may turn out to be yet another safe and effective supplement in the battle against depression and stress.

In the years of working with people taking whey, it was not uncommon for them to report that they just felt better, but I had no useful explanation as to why. This study may very well explain the anecdotal reports.

The protein alpha-lactalbumin increases the plasma ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids, and in vulnerable subjects raises brain serotonin activity, reduces cortisol concentration, and improves mood under stress.[1]


 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » lotus

Posted by Ktemene on June 12, 2005, at 6:35:03

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 3:03:32

Hi Lotus,

Thanks for your post. Would you happen to know which brands of whey have the highest proportions of levels of alpha-lactalbumin and tryptophan? I'd like to try some, but I am new to the world of whey.

Ktemene


> > Lately, I've been seeing so much whey protein at the natural foods store. Has anyone noticed any spectacular results from adding whey protein to their diet?
>
> This may be one possible reason.
>
> One recent study examined whether alpha-lactalbumin-a major subfraction found in whey that has an especially high tryptophan content-would increase plasma tryptophan levels as well reduce depression and cortisol concentrations in subjects under acute stress considered to be vulnerable to stress. It's important to note that levels of alpha-lactalbumin and other important subfractions can vary greatly and depend on how the whey is processed. Some whey products on the market contain very little alpha-lactalbumin and other active subfractions (i.e. lactoferrin). The researchers examined 29 "highly stress-vulnerable subjects" and 29 "relatively stress-invulnerable" subjects using a double blind, placebo-controlled study design. The study participants were exposed to experimental stress after eating a diet enriched with either alpha-lactalbumin (found in whey) or sodium-caseinate, another milk based protein. They researchers looked at:
>
>
> Diet-induced changes in the plasma tryptophan and its ratio to other large neutral amino acids
> Prolactin levels
> Changes in mood and pulse rate
> Cortisol levels (which were assessed before and after the stressor)
> Amazingly, the ratio of plasma tryptophan to the other amino acids tested was 48% higher after the alpha-lactalbumin diet than after the casein diet! This was accompanied by a decrease in cortisol levels and higher prolactin concentration. Perhaps most important and relevant to the average person reading this article, they found "reduced depressive feelings" when test subjects were put under stress. They concluded, "Consumption of a dietary protein enriched in tryptophan increased the plasma Trp-LNAA ratio and, in stress-vulnerable subjects, improved coping ability, probably through alterations in brain serotonin." This effect was not seen in the sodium-caseinate group. If other studies can confirm these findings, whey may turn out to be yet another safe and effective supplement in the battle against depression and stress.
>
> In the years of working with people taking whey, it was not uncommon for them to report that they just felt better, but I had no useful explanation as to why. This study may very well explain the anecdotal reports.
>
> The protein alpha-lactalbumin increases the plasma ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids, and in vulnerable subjects raises brain serotonin activity, reduces cortisol concentration, and improves mood under stress.[1]
>
>
>

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » lotus

Posted by Sarah T. on June 12, 2005, at 11:44:25

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 3:03:32

Hi Lotus,
Thanks so much for all that information! Like Ktemene, I'm interested to know which brands are best.

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?

Posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 14:22:46

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein? » lotus, posted by Sarah T. on June 12, 2005, at 11:44:25

> Hi Lotus,
> Thanks so much for all that information! Like Ktemene, I'm interested to know which brands are best.

I personally would go with colostrum.It contains alpha lactalbumin and a host of other things good for the immune system.I've been taking it for the past 4 days and am feeling really good.If you don't want to try the colostrum I would go with a reputable brand like NOW foods brand.By the way,iherb.com has a really a good price on colostrum,$15.00 for a good brand.

 

Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?

Posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 23:49:13

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 14:22:46

Here's another place a little cheaper than iherb.

http://www.1fast400.com/?products_id=549

 

Thanks so much, Lotus! (nm) » lotus

Posted by Sarah T. on June 13, 2005, at 0:39:53

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 14:22:46

 

Thanks, Lotus!

Posted by Ktemene on June 13, 2005, at 17:29:17

In reply to Re: What's so great about Whey Protein?, posted by lotus on June 12, 2005, at 14:22:46

Thanks, Lotus. This information is very helpful. I had never heard of colostrum! I hope that colostrum continues to work well for you. And please let us know how it goes.

Ktemene

>
> I personally would go with colostrum.It contains alpha lactalbumin and a host of other things good for the immune system.I've been taking it for the past 4 days and am feeling really good.If you don't want to try the colostrum I would go with a reputable brand like NOW foods brand.By the way,iherb.com has a really a good price on colostrum,$15.00 for a good brand.


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