Whey protein

Better Nutrition, August, 2005 by Michael Berg

Who knew that Wayne and Garth from the movie Wayne's World were so into protein? After all, they argued about it incessantly. "No wheyyyy." "Wheyyyy ..."

Ah, yes, whey. A natural, complete protein derived from cow's milk, it provides numerous benefits for active adults. Those who work out with weights swear by whey because it's digested quickly, making the building blocks of muscles--amino acids--readily available for muscle repair. Whey is also rich in leucine, another amino acid that helps bum body fat while preserving lean muscle tissue.

Recently, a study published in the April 2005 British Journal of Nutrition revealed that whey, in comparison to casein (another type of milk protein), could provide significant energy benefits for exercisers. Specifically, rats fed a whey-based diet stored more glycogen--the body's chief source of energy for later use than those fed a casein-rich diet. This suggests that whey is an important supplement for athletes who need a dependable power supply.

But whey's benefits aren't limited to the gym crowd. Doctors promote diets high in whey protein for patients who are recovering from surgery because it can assist in the healing process.

Adding whey to your diet is simple since it is available as protein bars and powders that can easily be mixed into water, juice, milk-based shakes and recipes. When shopping for a supplement, look for one with whey protein isolates, which are absorbed by the body faster than other forms.

And with luck, Wayne and Carth can finally agree: Whey protein? "It's excellent!"