Little Miss Muffet may have been on to a cancer-fighting powerhouse as she sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey...
Whey is the liquid that remains after the milk has been curdled and strained. It’s generally a byproduct of cheese-making. Whey is dried and then used in a wide variety of products.
Good thing, too, because it turns out the proteins in whey have positive effects on the body. Yes – it’s true – there’s a milk product that’s good for you. Whey may even reduce your risk of developing several kinds of cancer.
Continue reading to discover the power of whey protein and how you can reap its benefits...
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One of the main proteins found in whey, aptly named whey protein, is considered a complete protein because it contains all nine essential amino acids – i.e. the amino acids we can’t produce for ourselves.
Whey protein has been shown to increase glutathione levels. Glutathione is a peptide made of three amino acids, which cells need to thrive.
Every cell in the human body creates it, and low levels of glutathione are associated with increased oxidative damage caused by chronic inflammation. A glutathione deficiency may make the body more susceptible to cancer.1
A study published in the journal Cancer Letters found diets high in whey protein result in increased glutathione concentration in several kinds of tissue. This is partly because whey protein is rich in the base material cells use to create glutathione.2 It’s kind of like a prebiotic for glutathione production – a precursor, in other words.
In addition to this overarching benefit, research shows whey protein can reduce the risk of developing various kinds of cancer.
Oral cancer
The rate of oral cancer, brought on by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and tobacco smoking, is very high in the Kamrup district of India, in the extreme eastern region of the country.
That makes it a good place to determine the effects of dietary whey protein on oral cancer. And that’s what researchers from the Forsyth Institute, an oral medicine center affiliated with the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and KaviKrishna Laboratory, a nonprofit private laboratory in the region, combined forces to do.
Using human volunteers who suffered from lesions in their mouths, the researchers tested the use of 20 grams of dietary whey protein daily against a control group of people who did not receive the treatment.
After six months, they discovered those taking the whey protein had an eight-fold decrease in lesions compared to the control group. In four out of five people taking whey protein, the lesions disappeared completely.3
This was a small initial study, and the researchers plan to expand it based on these promising results. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s already a stunning confirmation of the value of good nutrition.
Another study tested bovine lactoferrin (bLF), a protein naturally occurring in cow’s milk and found in whey protein. The subjects were mice with both squamous cell carcinoma and fibrosarcoma of the floor of the mouth. The mice that received the bLF had 50% less malignant tumor growth than control groups.4 (For more about lactoferrin, see Issue #735.)
Colon cancer
Bovine lactoferrin has also been shown to inhibit colon cancer cell growth in animal models.5 One study, published in the journal Cancer Science, tested the efficacy of bLF against colon cancer in mice.
The mice were given either 2% or .2% bLF for 36 weeks. At the end of the trial, the incidence of adenocarcinomas (tumors in the lining of the colon) were 15% and 25%, respectively. In the control group mice, which received no bLF, 57.7% had tumors.6
Breast cancer
Researchers published findings in the journal Cancer Letters suggesting that whey acidic protein (WAP), a major component of whey protein, can inhibit the spread of breast cancer cells.
They determined that WAP is effective in preventing the degradation of laminin, a protein that makes up the structure of cells.7 Because the cells can hold their integrity with the help of WAP, the breast cancer cells can’t break down healthy cells in their quest to proliferate.
How to get more whey protein into your diet
Whey protein is abundant in milk and yogurt products, but not in cheese. However, I wouldn't recommend indiscriminately increasing your dairy consumption.
Dairy can be inflammatory for a lot of people, and not just for those who are lactose intolerant. So if eating dairy makes you feel bloated, lethargic or in any way unwell, don’t eat it.
If you are able to handle small amounts of dairy, the best route would be to increase your consumption of fermented dairy products like organic yogurt and kefir. That way you get the whey protein and the added benefits of the probiotics to feed the healthy bacteria in your gut. (Avoid yogurts that have added sugar or low numbers of live cultures.)
Protein powder made from whey protein is another option. Look for products that contain whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows that are free from hormones and antibiotics. Be wary of fillers. If you are lactose intolerant, some brands contain enzymes (lactase) that help digest the small amount of lactose.
Whey protein powders are also favored by weightlifters and fitness enthusiasts. Research shows whey protein can even help you lose more fat while maintaining lean muscle mass.8
You can also find whey protein in a lot of protein bars, but be careful if you go this route. Many protein bars are just souped-up candy bars, loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. Do your research and find a product that’s free from all the usual commercially produced junk.
Also, more whey protein is not necessarily better. Eating too much can cause stomach cramps, headaches and nausea. Aim for 20-30 grams of whey protein daily.
There are many benefits to including whey protein in your diet, not the least of which is reduced cancer risk. And since you can get it without having to eat a lot of dairy products, it can be a simple addition to a healthy lifestyle.
By the way, for an even easier way to raise your glutathione levels, consider Vital Force, a supplement from our sister company, Green Valley Natural Solutions.
Our last issue talked about the toxic dangers of dyeing your hair. If you missed it – and if you or someone you love uses hair dye – I urge you to scroll down and read it now.
Best regards,
Lee Euler,
Publisher
