Whey Protein Improves Insulin Response

PERTH, AustraliaSupplementing with whey proteins improved fasting lipids and insulin levels in overweight and obese individuals, according to a recent Australian study (Br J Nutr. 2010; DOI:10.1017/S0007114510000991). Subjects were randomized to whey protein, casein or glucose (control) supplementation for 12 weeks according to a parallel design. A total of 70 men and women with a mean age of 48.4 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.3 kg/m2 completed the study.

Subjects supplemented with whey protein had no significant change in body composition or serum glucose at 12 weeks compared with the control or casein group. Fasting TAG levels were significantly lowered in the whey group compared with the control group at six weeks (P=0.025) and 12 weeks (P=0.035). There was a significant decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol at week 12 in the whey group compared with the casein (P=0.026 and 0.045, respectively) and control groups (P<0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Fasting insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance scores were also significantly decreased in the whey group compared with the control group (P=0.049 and P=0.034, respectively).