Whey-The Weight Loss Muscle Builder

Whey is part of milk. It is one of the components that separate from milk after curdling. The protein part of whey can be separated and powdered. It is believed to be particularly beneficial in building muscle mass while dieting. More muscle increases metabolic rate and therefore more calories are burned even while sleeping. Here is an excerpt from the Journal of Gerontology, July 27, 2011.

 Researchers at the University of Illinois conducted a 6-month double-blind study of 31 healthy, postmenopausal obese women who were divided into two groups. Each group followed a 1,400-calorie weight-loss diet based on USDA’s My Pyramid, but one group received a powdered whey protein supplement in the morning and again in the afternoon or evening; the other received a placebo that contained carbohydrates.

Both groups were encouraged to engage in light exercise (walking and stretching) and given diet education, including examples of healthy daily menus and a scale to measure portion size. Before and after the study, participants were assessed for strength, balance, and the ability to perform such physical tasks as walking 50 feet, standing up five times from a chair, and lifting a book 12 inches above shoulder height. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used at the beginning and end of the study to measure muscle volume of the right thigh, the amount of fat around the thigh, and the amount of fat within the thigh muscle.

The study found higher protein intake during weight loss can offset negative effects on muscle mass by maintaining more muscle relative to the amount of weight lost. Women who ate more protein lost 3.9% more weight and had a relative gain of 5.8% more thigh muscle volume than woman who did not.

Whey is the watery part of milk when separated from the curds. It is powderized for sale as muscle builder, weight loss product. It accounts for about 20 % of cows’ milk and is a quality protein often used by athletes. It seems it is good for dieters too. For a additive free version try Jarrow Formulas, Whey Protein, Unflavored, 2 lbs (908 g) (FOUR PACK).