Adverse Effects From Whey Protein Supplementation

It has been proven scientifically that a daily intake of whey protein, which is protein derived from dairy products, will aid in muscle gain and increasing energy levels. In fact, most of the nutritional benefits of dairy products is in fact the whey protein itself. Since whey protein’s discovery, it has gotten a lot of attention from bodybuilders, athletes, and health enthusiasts.

Whey protein, however, has had some concerns from the health industry regarding the efficacy and safety of whey protein. These researchers intend to study the short and long term effects of whey protein intake to see if supplementation is safe or not. They study and report any adverse effects of excessive dosages at long intervals.

One of the questions raised regarding whey protein is to what effects could it have on the cardiovascular system. Studies show that when a person increases whey protein uptake and decreases fat intake, a positive change in the blood lipid level is observed. This means that whey protein actually can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. However, excessive dosages could be avoided because they most pose health hazards.

Another question about whey protein is if it poses any harmful side effects to the kidneys. Since the kidney’s function is to excrete waste from the body, which are mainly derived from the degradation of protein, then it should also follow that an increased protein uptake should therefore make the kidney’s work harder. This could lead to a kidney dysfunction. However, there are no evidence that can clearly support this speculation nor has there been any link to increased protein intake and kidney malfunction.

Whey protein has also been accused of causing premature osteoporosis. The theory behind this is that an increased whey protein intake leads to a higher calcium level in the urine. However, this theory has not been proven to be true, for whey protein does not trigger bone loss or osteoporosis. In fact, whey protein actually helps in bone mineralization.

When taking any sort of food supplement or whey protein, it is important to note both the benefits and possible harmful effects. Just because whey protein has not been proven to be harmful in moderate consumption, does not mean that an excessive amount could pose a threat. It is important to ask an expert before adding supplements to your diet and remember that no supplement can take the place of proper diet, exercise and a healthy lifestyle.