title: Consumption of a whey protein-enriched diet may prevent hepatic steatosis associated with weight gain in elderly women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Protein consumption has been associated with cardio-metabolic benefits, including weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity, and may have potential benefits for individuals with fatty liver disease (FLD). We investigated the effect of increasing dietary protein intake from whey relative to carbohydrate on hepatic steatosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 30 g/day whey protein-supplemented beverage (protein) or an energy-matched low-protein high-carbohydrate beverage (control) for cardio-metabolic and bone health in 219 healthy elderly women, recruited from the Western Australian general population. Hepatic steatosis was quantified using computed tomographic liver-to-spleen (L/S) ratio. FLD was defined as liver-to-spleen difference <10 Hounsfield units. At baseline, FLD prevalence was 11.4%. Control and protein groups were similar in body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, L/S ratio and FLD prevalence at baseline. At two-years, dietary protein increased by 20 g in the protein, but not the control, group. Total energy intake and physical activity remained similar between groups. At two-years, BMI and FLD prevalence increased in both groups, with no between group differences. L/S ratio increased in control, but not protein, group at two-years, with no between group differences. In a within group comparison, change in BMI correlated with changes in L/S ratio in control (r = 0.37, P = 0.0007), but not with protein group (r = 0.04, P = 0.73).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing dietary protein intake from whey relative to carbohydrate does not reduce weight, hepatic steatosis or the prevalence of FLD in elderly women. However, it may prevent worsening of hepatic steatosis associated with weight gain.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Registration no. ACTRN012607000163404).
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: Esther.Ooi@uwa.edu.au.
authors: E M
authors: EM
authors: Ooi
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia.
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Adams
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Zhu
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Lewis
authors: Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute & School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Kerr
authors: Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Meng
authors: Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute & School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Solah
authors: School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Devine
authors: Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute & School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
authors: C W
authors: CW
authors: Binns
authors: School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Prince
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009043:Motor Activity; D009520:New Zealand; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015430:Weight Gain; D000067816:Whey Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D000067816:Whey Proteins
keywords: Elderly; Fatty liver disease; Hepatic steatosis; Whey protein; Women