Undenatured
Whey Protein
Health
Food for Glutathione Precursors
Your
glutathione levels depend on the supply of three amino acids -
Glutamate, Glycine and Cystine. Glutamate and Glycine are availble
in most diets, but Cystine comes mostly from eggs, milk and cheese.
In
the cooking of eggs and the processes used for pasteurization
of milk and manufacture of cheese the
composition of Cystine is changed to Cysteine.
While
still a valuable protein, it no longer functions as a food for
glutathione.
The
best way to increase and maintain your GSH levels is to include
these animal foods in your diet as these contain the amino acids
required by the body to synthesize GSH.
As
Dr. David L. Phillips, writes in Glutathione,
A Protein Vital to Life, Part 2, "supplementing with
oral glutathione won’t work. The glutathione in your cells needs
to be made by your cells. Taking GSH orally, like a vitamin, is
a waste of money. Your digestive system will break it down and
little good will come of that effort."
Because
of hydrolysis of glutathione by intestinal and hepatic gamma-glutamyltransferase,
dietary glutathione is not a major determinant of circulating
glutathione, and it is not possible to increase circulating glutathione
to a clinically beneficial extent by the oral administration of
a single dose of glutathione. (1)
Foods
rich in the sulfur amino acids (e.g., eggs) are especially good
sources. Another excellent food supplement is undenatured (non-heated)
whey protein.
GSH
precursors, such as cysteine, methionine and glutamine raise
GSH levels to a minor degree, but all have side effects and are
not well tolerated by most people.
Milk
thistle, melatonin and lipoic acid can be helpful as well but
the bio-response and degrees of bioavailability can vary widely.
Whey
proteins seem to be the best method of obtaining the building
blocks of glutathione.
(2)
Breast-fed
infants have high GSH levels and for the most part enjoy better
health until about the age of 15 until their GSH level off to
that of non-breast-fed infants. The whey content of raw milk contains
several albuminous proteins that supply potent GSH precursors."
Whey
is comprised of four major protein fractions and six minor protein
fractions. The major protein fractions in whey are beta-lactoglobulin,
alpha-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulins.
Each
of these components have important disease-fighting effects. In
addition, whey protein is easily digestible and lactose-free.
Whey
protein has been called "the most immune-enhancing protein", as
well as "the life-extension protein" by doctors and scientists
alike.
Whey
is loaded with nutrients and essential amino acids and is of value
for those suffering from cachexia, or wasting syndrome, as its
proteins are easily assimilated by the body.
Not
all undenatured
whey protein is manufactured or formulated in the
same manner and the benefits may vary between products. Please
do your due diligence when choosing one that is right for you.
The one we personally use and recommend has been used
more often in clinical trials than any other whey product.
If
you are allergic to milk protein, N-Acetyl
Cysteine is an excellent option.
For
more ways to boost your glutathione levels read the article
Food sources that boost glutathione naturally.
Warning:
Whey Proteins
should not be consumed by people with an allergy to milk protein
and products that boost immune response should not be consumed
by organ transplant patients receiving immuno-suppressant therapy.
References:
- The
systemic availability of oral glutathione
Witschi A, Reddy S, Stofer B, Lauterburg BH. [Eur J
Clin Pharmacol. 1992;43(6):667-9.]
- Oral
supplementation with whey proteins increases plasma glutathione
levels of HIV-infected patients
Micke P, Beeh KM, Schlaak JF, Buhl R. [Eur J Clin Invest.
2001 Feb;31(2):171-8.]
Reports
on the Health Benefits of Whey Protein
Method
of Intracellular GSH Enhancement: Undenatured Whey Protein Concentration
FDA slideshow on "The Role of Glutathione in Cell Defense,
with References to Clinical Deficiencies and Treatment" by
Thomas A. Kwyer, M.D.
Fighting
Cancer With Whey
LE Magazine November 1997 - By Will Brink
Improved
Cancer Treatment May Be Just a Glass of Milk A "Whey"
Press Release from the National Dairy Council
A
New Whey to Prevent Cancer? (pdf)
Agricultural Research/October 2000 - By Thomas M. Badger
Whey
Protein Concentrate and Glutathione modulation in Cancer treatment
The
Whey It Is (pdf)
Read more about the different types of whey protein and its glutathione-enhancing
effects in this article by
Will Brink
Whey
Protein Power
LE Magazine March 1998 - By Will Brink
The
Life Extension Protein that Fights Disease And Extends Lifespan
LE Magazine January 1996 - By Will Brink
Whey
and Glutathione - Part III
Dr. James L. Holly
Health
Enhancing Properties of Whey Proteins and Whey Fractions (pdf)
By Rosemary L. Walzem, R.D., Ph.D.
(A Monograph Published by U.S. Dairy Export Council®)
Bioactive
Components of Whey and Cardiovascular Health (pdf)
By Sharon K. Gerdes, Dr. W. James Harper, Ph.D, Dr. G. Miller,
Ph.D.
(A Monograph Published by U.S. Dairy Export Council®)
Whey,
Immunity And AIDS
LE Magazine March 1998
The
New Faces Of Whey
LE Magazine January 2002 - By Will Brink
Numerous studies on whey proteins demonstrate their potential
for improving immunity, boosting glutathione and protecting against
cancer.
The
Benefits of Whey
Whey protein as cancer treatment adjuvant, antibiotic, and anti-aging
agent
The
Many Health Benefits of Whey Protein
The
WHEY to a Longer Life!
by Dr. John Maher, A.B.A.A..H.P.
Are
You Leading a Healthy 'Whey' of Life?
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com
Lactoferrin:
The Bioactive Peptide that Fights Disease
LE Magazine October 2000 - By Will Brink
Unlocking
the Secrets to Health & Fitness: WHEY PROTEIN
Protein is the building block of life. Essential to a balanced
diet and strong muscles, both serious athletes and serious life
extensionists use protein to enhance their health and performance.
LE Magazine October 1998
Ready
Get Set GO - Get the best out of exercise while avoiding the hazards
LE Magazine February 2000 - By Will Brink
Exercise
Enhancement and Risk Avoidance
Interview:
A Conversation with Will Brink
LE Magazine May 1999
Brink is a recognized, well published expert Whey Protein. He
maintains frequent contact with numerous scientists and medical
doctors who research whey protein, and has become personally involved
in conducting primary research on whey protein and athletes.
Dietary
whey proteins and oxidative stress in the prostate
Kyle
D. Kent. J. Bomser and W. J. Harper; Department of Food Science
and Technology; The Ohio State University [View
as HTML]
Digested WPI elevates intracellular GSH of human prostate cells.
Digested WPI also protects against oxidant-induced cell death
Whey
Protein - Product Abstracts
Whey
Protein Abstracts
LE Magazine January 2002
Are
There Hormones in Your Whey Protein?
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