Whey Protein Improves Blood Pressure, Lipids, and Heart Health

Article by Arnie Gitomer

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; October, 2016, 38 healthy, non-smoking men and women with mildly elevated blood pressure, age 30 to 77, took a whey protein shake or a calcium caseinate shake, or a placebo. The whey and caseinate shakes each containing 28 grams of protein, twice per day.   The participants were not taking antihypertensive or cholesterol medications.

After eight weeks, compared to placebo, those in the whey protein group saw a decline of 3.9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, and 2.5 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure. Also for whey protein, systolic blood pressure at the extremities and centrally had declined by 5.4 and 5.7 mmHg, respectively. Blood vessel flexibility increased for both whey and calcium caseinate compared to placebo.

Total cholesterol levels in the whey group declined to 188.7 from 195.2
mg/dL, while increasing for placebo, and triglycerides dropped to 102.7 from 116.0 mg/dL, while the placebo group increased.

Thus, it seems that we can add improved cardiovascular health to the other benefits of dairy protein supplementation, especially for whey protein.

An example of quality whey protein powder supplements is the “Whey To Go” Protein line from Solgar. Here is a list of flavors and sizes:

Solgar Whey to Go Pro Vanilla Powder
12 oz Powder - Product Code: 24970

Solgar Whey to Go Pro Vanilla Powder
32 oz  Powder - Product Code: 24971

Solgar Whey to Go Protein Chocolate Powder
16 oz  Powder - Product Code: 28034

Solgar Whey to Go Protein Chocolate Powder
41 oz  Powder - Product Code: 28033

Solgar Whey to Go Protein Strawberry Powder
16 oz  Powder - Product Code: 59194