Whey Protein Protects Against a High Fat Diet

A new animal study shows that consumption of whey protein¹ can offset the disease-producing effects of a high fat diet by lowering weight gain by 32%, preventing insulin resistance, and preventing the build up of fat in the liver.

The researchers stated that “whey protein may have therapeutic potential to reduce the incidence of diabetes and fatty liver diseases, especially in at-risk individuals who consume excess energy and fat and lead a sedentary lifestyle. The protective effect of whey protein was consistent with higher basal metabolic rates and mitochondrial oxygen consumption and lower metabolic utilization of dietary lipid.”

There have been a variety of human studies showing that whey protein improves cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, and body weight. This study is interesting because it shows that whey protein can even help protect against blatant dietary abuse by helping the liver work better.