Whey Protein and Prostate Cancer

A recent study found that whey protein might help in the prevention of prostate cancer.

A recent study found that whey protein might help in the prevention of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among American men. A recent study found that whey protein might help in the prevention of prostate cancer.

Whey is a liquid byproduct of the cheese production process and is extremely rich in protein. Scientists discovered that when they treated human prostate cells in the lab with whey protein, the levels of an antioxidant called glutathione rose dramatically. Antioxidants like glutathione are thought to fight damaging free radicals.

Free radicals are formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules in the body. The problem comes from the damage they can cause when they react with cells — called oxidative stress. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. Antioxidants defend the body against this free radical damage.

According to lead study researcher, Joshua Bomser, “The buildup of free radicals is associated with the onset of many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer and human prostate tissue is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress.”

The study was published in Toxicology in Vitro. Researchers treated human prostate cells with two different concentrations of whey protein for 48 hours in the lab and then measured the levels of glutathione in the cells. The results showed that both doses of whey protein increased glutathione levels by at least 60%. The more concentrated dose raised glutathione levels by 64%.

“The small difference in glutathione levels between the two whey concentrations suggests that it may not take much whey protein to get an effect in the prostate cells,” says Bomser.

Researchers say whey protein contains the amino acid cysteine, which is a key ingredient for producing glutathione in the body. By increasing the body’s production of glutathione, they suggest that whey protein may aid in prostate cancer prevention, but more research on this is needed in humans rather than in test tubes.

Whey protein supplementation is typically known among body builders, however, with more health benefits coming to light, it is becoming a popular choice by people looking for healthier protein alternatives and those wanting to fight the damage of free radicals. Bomser closed his press release by saying, “In diseases like cancer, there’s usually a reduction in the body’s overall capacity to deal with oxidative stress. Keeping antioxidant levels elevated through diet and supplementation may prevent the development of chronic disease.”

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