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Whey protein has become a
staple supplement for most bodybuilders and other athletes and for good
reason: it's a great protein for a wide variety of reasons. Whey has
more recently caught on with the anti aging/longevity minded groups also
for its effects on immunity.
A
growing number of studies has found whey may potentially reduce cancer
rates, combat HIV, improve immunity, reduce stress and lower cortisol,
increase brain serotonin levels, improve liver function in those
suffering from certain forms of hepatitis, reduce blood pressure, and
improve performance, to name a few of its potential medical and sports
related applications. Whey also has an exceptionally high biological
value rating (though sellers of whey make FAR too big a deal of that
fact) and an exceptionally high
BCAA content.
One of whey's major effects is its apparent ability to raise glutathione
(GSH). The importance of GSH for the proper function of the immune
system cannot be overstated. GSH is arguably the most important
water-soluble antioxidant found in the body.
The concentration of intracellular GSH is directly related to
lymphocytes (an important arm of the immune system) reactivity to a
challenge, which suggests intracellular GSH levels are one way to
modulate immune function. GSH is a tri-peptide made up of the
amino acids L-cysteine,
L-glutamine and glycine. Of the three, cysteine is the main source of
the free sulfhydryl group of GSH and is a limiting factor in the
synthesis of GSH (though the effects of whey on GSH is more complicated
than simply its cysteine content).
Because GSH is known to be essential to immunity (oxidative stress,
general well being, and reduced levels of GSH are associated with a long
list of diseases) whey has a place in anyone's nutrition program.
Reduced GSH is also associated with over training syndrome (OTS) in
athletes, so whey may very well have an application in preventing, or at
least mitigating, OTS. Pertaining directly to athletes, some recent
studies suggest whey may have direct effects on performance and muscle
mass, but this research is preliminary at best. Some studies have found
oxidative stress contributes to muscular fatigue, so having higher GSH
levels may allow you to train longer and harder, as some recent data
suggests.
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