October 20, 2014

Eating Her Curds and Whey

Photo: Grongar

Will the real Miss Muffet please stand up?

 Was she a portly cheese-maker who had access to lots of whey and just saw the opportunity for a protein?

 Or was she clangin' and bangin' weights, trying to bulk up?


Whey

Whey is the liquid left after the milk curdles and 'balls' form in the cheese-making process. It's a natural and protein rich food 'leftover'.   Whey proteins consist proteins-  α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin 1. and glycomacropeptide 2.

In Processed Foods

It's added to many processed foods.  Unless you are sensitive to milk, it's not dangerous. But it's in everything and the real kicker is that it's not left as is but processed more.  It shows up as "whey protein, whey protein isolates, whey protein concentrate and whey protein hydrolysate and hydrolized protein." 3. So do not delude yourself into thinking that it's a whole food, it's not.  Just a way for your cereal company to buy a cheap 'ingredient' to boost the protein of it's processed product.

Whey Powder

Whey is also a  high selling supplement for body builders. 

Some studies have shown...

-increase lean body mass, strength and muscle size when used in conjunction with weight training.
-helping to reduce the amount of weight lost by patients with AIDS

I'm not big on supplements- for several reasons.  One, What's really in them is questionable.  Two, the sources they are made from are likely the cheapest possible and therefore unhealthy or unsafe.Three, they often include genetically modified ingredients. Fourth and Finally, if I can get the item from a food source in a good quantity, I would much rather do so.

 "Whey protein might improve the nutrient content of the diet. Whey protein might also have effects on the immune system." 4.

 There are some times when supplements are necessary and helpful.  Go to a reliable source and check  your ingredients from a secondary trusted nutrition source. (I wish I could give you a great source but mine has recently come under scrutiny- the real reason to get it from your food!)

Minimal evidence, but trials are underway for...

-lactose intolerance
-allergies & asthma
-late stage cancer treatment (might reduce tumor size)
-high cholesterol
-obesity

Safety of Whey

"Whey protein is possibly safe when taken by mouth as a single dose of up to 50 grams, or when 30 grams is taken by mouth daily for six months." 5.
As with all supplements, care is needed as there are some possible side effects. Some of these can be very serious.  Please go to this Mayo Clinic article to find what to watch for. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/whey-protein/safety/hrb-20060532

 Marion Nestle weighs in on the dangers of supplements.  It's worth a read.


Conclusions

Whey is not something you need to add to your diet.  Our intent is to inform you so that you know what whey is and where it appears.  There are much better places to get your protein- which by the way is how you build lean muscle!


               As for the real Miss Muffet... 

anyone with enough muscle would have smashed that spider. 




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