Improve Heart Health With Whey Protein
The benefits of whey protein on lean muscle mass and weight loss are well documented, however a new research study has shown amazing new advantages of whey protein for heart health.
Conducted by Glanbia Nutritionals, this randomised, double-blind study has shown that a whey-protein-rich ingredient may improve blood vessel function in healthy individuals. This is a major step forward in the battle against increasing rates of heart attacks and disease plaguing many Australians.
Two weeks of supplementation with a proprietary peptide (a compound consisting of two or more amino acids linked in a chain) resulted in a 1.5 per cent improvement in blood flow, report researchers from the University of Connecticut in Nutrition Journal.
According to the researchers, the whey protein-derived ingredient, isolated from hydrolysate, may work via an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity. Angiotensin causes blood vessels to constrict, driving blood pressure up. Angiotensen converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are drugs that block the body’s production of angiotensin II.
“The results of this preliminary study suggest that in individuals with normal endothelial function, the acute ingestion of a peptide derived from whey improves both conduit and resistance vascular responses,” wrote the authors, led by Kevin Ballard. The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark for vascular diseases, often leading to hardening of the arteries.
Study details
The researchers recruited 20 healthy men and women with an average age of 25, and an average BMI of 24.3kg/m2, and randomly assigned them to receive the whey ingredient (five grams per day) or placebo for two weeks. After this time, the subjects underwent a two week washout period before being crossed over to the intervention.
According to the study’s results, there was no difference between the group’s flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of a blood vessel’s healthy ability to relax, at the start of the study. While the placebo had no effect on FMD, supplementation with the ingredient was associated with a significant improvement in FMD for up to 90 minutes following ingestion or between 1.1 and 2.2 per cent.
Further to that, blood flow in the arm improved by 2.7 per cent per minute following whey protein supplementation, but did not change following placebo.
“These findings indicate that supplementation with a novel whey-protein peptide in healthy individuals improves vascular function,” wrote the researchers.
Emeds comment:
We have spoken many times before about the benefits of whey protein on muscles and weight loss. Not only does a good whey protein powder make an ideal weight loss supplement, it also helps to maintain and promote the growth of lean muscle tissue.
Whey protein is the term used to describe a group of globular proteins that can be separated from whey.
When ingested, the body breaks down this protein into amino acids, essential nutrients that the body requires for muscle function, energy production and general function.
In that respect, with its muscle-relaxing effects and contributions to growth and repair, it comes as little surprise that whey protein exhibits beneficial effects in arterial walls, leading to the correct flow of blood and prevention of heart disease.
We should all aim to eat a healthy diet every single day. We should all eat like meat-eating vegetarian coeliacs. That is, the majority of the diet should be made up of fresh fruits and vegies, with adequate lean meats and NO grains. Dairy and nuts should make up a smaller proportion and limited fats and oils being ingested.
Though dairy products, meats and eggs provide naturally available protein, whey protein is far superior in many aspects:
- Whey protein is a high quality, complete protein with rich amounts of amino acids. A good whey protein supplement is easily absorbed into the muscles for fast nutrition.
- Whey protein provides all of the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of healthy muscles, nails, skin and other connective tissue.
- Whey protein is devoid of cholesterol, and also aids in the removal of bad cholesterol from the body.
- Typically, whey protein isolate contains only 0.5% fat.
- Whey protein isolate is the purest form of whey protein with virtually no sugar of fat, containing at least 90% protein.
Not only will it help to improve your energy levels, muscle tone, body fat percentage and general immunity, it also supports the growth of lean muscle mass – the main decider of biological age.
Emed stocks a range of top-quality whey protein isolate supplements that not only contain high levels of protein but taste good too.
What else can I do?
We all need to aim for at least 20-30 minutes of exercise everyday. Though it may seem unachievable, a few simple modifications to your day means that you can easily fit in this amount of exercise without running out of time. You must exercise your body, muscles and respiratory system regularly to help prevent heart disease and give yourself the best chance of a long, healthy life.
As we have said before, you don’t have to run 50 kilometres every night. Take a brisk walk around your area, jog around the block a few times or take a bike ride. Use the time to catch up and exercise with your partner instead of sitting in front of the TV.
In an ideal world, we would all get the vitamins and minerals we need from our food, but unfortunately, this simply will not happen. Overfarming, pesticides, poor diet and high intake of processed foods leave our food – and our bodies devoid of nutrients.
Taking a good-quality multivitamin everyday can help to fill the gaps in your diet. They aren’t designed to replace a healthy diet – only to promote good health, energy and immunity through increased intake of the vitamin, minerals and nutrients you need for optimal function.
The omega-3’s derived from fish oils exhibit many benefits in the body. Not only can they improve memory, brain function and nail, skin and hair health; they also help to reduce risk of cardiac death, strokes, depression, diabetes, arthritis, osteoarthritis, some forms of cancer, irregular heartbeat and even eyesight decline.
We should ALL be taking a fish oil everyday – especially if you suffer from any sort of inflammatory condition or risk of heart disease. Emed stocks only the BEST fish oil supplements available on the market. Not only are they the strongest – they are the most effective.
Anyone who has had a heart attack or stroke, has high blood pressure, has a family history of heart disease or is on a statin drug must supplement with Coenzyme Q10. Many studies have shown the vast benefits of Coenzyme Q10 supplementation, including protection against blood clots, lowering high blood pressure, diminishing irregular heartbeats and the proper functioning of energy in the body.
Further Reading:
- Health promoting nutrition
- Why change our diet?
- Eating to reduce inflammation
- Reduce grains and sugar to lose weight
- Optimal water intake
- Whey Protein and Weight Loss
- Emed Super Smoothies and Shakes
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