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Why Whey Protein is Way Better for You!

By James H. O'Keefe, M.D.

Whey is one of the best sources for high quality protein. It is also among the most powerful anti-aging, fat-burning, disease-fighting foods you can eat. You need to make whey a staple in your diet if you want to lose your excess weight and rejuvenate your life. Without a doubt, protein is the best nutrient for producing the sensation of being full.

Protein also helps to build muscle and keep your metabolic furnace cranked up - giving you more energy and burning off more calories. This is why high-protein plans like the Atkins Diet and the South Beach Diet are usually successful in producing weight loss.

You are designed to thrive best on a diet rich in high-quality protein. But the protein our ancestors ate was lean, higher in Omega-3 fats, low in saturated fat, and devoid of dangerous chemicals like nitrites, industrial pollutants, synthetic hormones, herbicides, pesticides, and added salt. Furthermore, most of their protein was eaten raw. And while cooking meat and fish is great for killing microbes and parasites, (not to mention improving the flavor), the high temperatures can denature the proteins and produce dangerous carcinogens like heterocyclic amines.

Whey protein is a clean source of high-quality protein in a convenient form that is completely free of any of these contaminants or carcinogens. So while ample protein in your diet is as crucial to your long-term health and vigor today as it was 10,000 years ago, many of your protein sources today are not ideal. For example, too much fatty red meat can increase cardiac risk factors, and if the meat is charred and overdone, over the years it may increase the risk of cancer, as well.

Whey protein is a natural, safe, and good-tasting protein source that will give you the best of both worlds. If you use a "clean and pure" whey protein product you will get the benefits of a high-quality protein rich in branched chain amino acids that will help you to achieve your ideal body weight, improve your immunity, boost your antioxidant anti-aging defenses, and keep you filled up. And you will also have a quick, easy, and tasty protein source that is free of toxic contaminants. Although whey is derived from milk, it is free of lactose and saturated fats, meaning you get the high-quality protein, without having to worry about the risks associated with dairy products.

The Benefits of Whey

Whey protein confers eight distinct benefits that will help you re-capture the appearance and vitality of your youth.

1. The high level of cysteine, an essential amino acid, stimulates glutathione production by as much as 60 percent. This is one of the most potent endogenous (i.e. made naturally by your body) antioxidants. The increased glutathione levels help to bolster your immune system, and also neutralize the free radicals that promote aging, heart disease and cancer. Whey protein may lower the risk of prostate cancer, in particular.
2. Whey helps to build muscle. With each year that passes after age 30, you lose one-half to one pound of muscle. This is replaced by 1 to 2.5 pounds of fat per year. Whey protein builds muscle better than any other protein source because it is uniquely rich in all the essential amino acids. These amino acids, such as valine, leucine, and iso-leucine are needed to repair muscle tissue broken down by exercise or stress and replace old, dead or damaged cells with new ones. For each one pound of muscle you add to your body, you burn an additional 50 calories per day, even at rest.
3. Whey protein burns fat, especially inside your abdomen, where it is the most unattractive and the most dangerous for your health. It does this by increasing your metabolism so you will burn more calories. Studies show that simply adding whey to a standard diet will help you lose body fat while maintaining muscle during weight loss.
4. Whey increases satiety, thereby lowering your daily intake of calories. Probably the single most important step in preventing aging and disease is to simply reduce calorie intake. You will find it difficult to not eat if you are hungry all the time; conversely it is easier to avoid the lure of junk food and excess calories if you aren't hungry. Whey will fill you up and keep you feeling full longer with fewer calories than any other food.
5. When substituted for other protein sources, whey reduces the load of toxic pro-aging and potentially carcinogenic substances. Whey is a pure and clean protein source that contains no toxic contaminants such as pesticides commonly found in meat and dairy, or nitrosamines found in processed luncheon-type meats.
6. Whey protein may reduce depression and emotional stress because it is high in tryptophan - an amino acid that improves mood and sleep quality in some individuals.
7. Whey improves blood pressure levels. Clinical studies show that whey protein isolate contains bioactive peptides that appear to lower blood pressure in people with mild hypertension.
8. The amino acids in whey protein are the exact building blocks your body needs to restore the youthful luster and fullness to your hair and give you smooth, shiny and strong nails. You may notice an improvement in the appearance and strength of your hair and nails when you use whey protein on a daily basis. Because whey also improves immunity and insulin resistance, it can be effective in preventing or improving toenail and fingernail fungal infections.

How to Choose a Quality Whey Supplement

When shopping for a whey product, look for 'whey protein isolate' which is a more highly purified form of whey. This will provide for quick and easy digestion of the essential amino acids needed by the body for healthy and strong muscles, skin, hair, and nails. These amino acids are especially important during times of stress, such as heavy exercise or recovery from injury.

Whey protein is best bought in large containers (2 to 5 pounds), since it needs to be consumed regularly to reap the health benefits. We suggest a dose of about 20 to 25 grams daily, which is usually about one scoop per day. The whey product should be less than 150 mg. of sodium per serving, and sugar-free. Look for a whey powder with not more than a couple of other ingredients besides whey protein isolate. Many people prefer to have a sweetener in the whey powder to make it more palatable; we suggest using only those products with Splenda as the artificial sweetener.

CardioWhey is a new product in the CardioTabs™ line that is designed to help improve your body composition by burning off excess fat tissue, while at the same time keeping your muscles strong. In addition to a highly purified whey protein, one scoop of CardioWhey contains 50 and 80 percent of the daily value of the minerals magnesium and chromium. These minerals help to maintain cardiac health and keep insulin sensitivity normal. Abnormal insulin sensitivity is an underlying factor in a variety of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary disease.

A scoop of CardioWhey protein powder mixed in skimmed milk or water is a quick, easy and tasty way to start your day off right. Add in a handful of nuts, a piece or two of fresh produce and a cup of tea and/or water and you have an ideal meal or snack.

If you have abnormal kidney function, consult your doctor before considering taking a whey protein supplement.

Proceeds from CardioTabs™ are used to support research and education at Cardiovascular Consultants.

© 2005, Cardiovascular Consultants.

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