title: The effects of whey protein on cardiometabolic risk factors.
abstract: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. The health consequences of obesity are more dangerous when associated with the metabolic syndrome and its components. Studies show that whey protein and its bioactive components can promote greater benefits compared to other protein sources such as egg and casein. The aim of this paper is to review the effects of whey protein on cardiometabolic risk factors. Using PubMed as the database, a review was conducted to identify current scientific literature on whey protein and the components of the metabolic syndrome published between 1970 and 2012. Consumption of whey protein seems to play an anti-obesity and muscle-protective role during dieting by increasing thermogenesis and maintaining lean mass. In addition, whey protein has been shown to improve glucose levels and insulin response, promote a reduction in blood pressure and arterial stiffness, and improve lipid profile. The collective view of current scientific literature indicates that the consumption of whey protein may have beneficial effects on some symptoms of the metabolic syndrome as well as a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. s.pal@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Sebely
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Radavelli-Bagatini
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001823:Body Composition; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012527:Satiation / Q000187:drug effects; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D015431:Weight Loss; D000067816:Whey Proteins
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins