title: Effects of whey protein supplements on metabolism:  evidence from human intervention studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemiological studies indicate that the consumption of milk and dairy products is inversely associated with a lower risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases. In particular, whey protein seems to induce these effects because of bioactive compounds such as lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, glutamine and lactalbumin. In addition, it is an excellent source of branch chained amino acids. This review summarizes recent findings on the effects of whey protein on metabolic disorders and the musculoskeletal system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 25 recently published intervention trials examining chronic and/or acute effects of whey protein supplementation on lipid and glucose metabolism, blood pressure, vascular function and on the musculoskeletal system. Whey protein appears to have a blood glucose and/or insulin lowering effect partly mediated by incretins. In addition, whey protein may increase muscle protein synthesis. In contrast there are no clear-cut effects shown on blood lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure and vascular function. For bone metabolism the data are scarce.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, whey protein may affect glucose metabolism and muscle protein synthesis. However, the evidence for a clinical efficacy is not strong enough to make final recommendations with respect to a specific dose and the duration of supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nutritional Physiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Egert
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heer
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005973:Glutamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007768:Lactalbumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008894:Milk Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D005973:Glutamine; D007768:Lactalbumin; D007781:Lactoferrin