According to the US Census Bureau, it is estimated that by the year 2030, one in five US residents will be age 65 and older. With this rapid growth of the aging population, it is more important than ever for adults to take actions now that can help them stay healthy and strong in the years to come.
Whey protein has been shown to be an effective strategy in fighting the aging process. Here are four reasons you should be using whey protein:
1. Prevents Osteoporosis – as you age, you lose your ability to effectively maintain strong bones and muscles. Studies have shown that elderly adults who consume low levels of protein are more prone to significant loss in bone density – particularly in the hip and spine. So, one of the easiest things you can do for healthy bones is consume a protein-rich diet. A recent study found that adults who added 20 grams of whey protein to their daily diet were able to accelerate the healing of bone fractures and prevent osteoporotic fractures.
2. Slows Down Aging – Glutathione is one of the natural antioxidants our bodies produce. Antioxidants are responsible for countering the effects of aging by fighting damaging free radicals and other toxins. As you age, your production of glutathione decreases leaving you more susceptible to cell disintegration and liver damage. Whey protein produces an amino acid that helps boost glutathione production. So, drinking that whey protein smoothie for breakfast is a great way to slow down the aging process.
3. Boosts Metabolism – If you consistently boost your metabolism, you will lose fat faster. As you ingest food, your metabolism increases. This effect is known as thermogenesis and is greater for protein than it is for fat or carbs. In a recent study to measure the thermogenic effects of various protein sources, scientists found that whey protein not only provided a higher thermogenic effect than other protein sources, but fat “burning” was also greater after the whey than the others. Adding whey protein to the diet — or, better still — replacing junk foods with whey protein can boost your metabolism.
4. Maintains Healthier Skin – Whey protein is good for anti-aging nutrition and skin care because it contains branch chained amino acids (BCAAs). Studies have shown that BCAAs can have a positive effect on healing and nourishing skin.
Excellent article on whey protein!