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Problems With Whey

Whey, a protein derived from milk, is a supplement used by athletes, vegetarians, pregnant women and, in some forms, infants and those looking to lose weight. It contains the highest percentage of protein levels, often with fewer calories than other protein sources, and is easily absorbed by the body. Currently, there is debate about whether or not the supplement is harmless. No existing studies show that whey protein is harmful to healthy adults, but that does not mean it comes with no risks.

  1. Effects of Too Much Protein

    • If you take too much protein, your body cannot process all of it. The excess protein will be excreted as waste, causing your kidneys and liver to do extra work to get rid of it. This will not cause major problems in the short term, but overworking your kidney and liver over several years is not healthy. If you consume excessive amounts of whey protein, you may have increased stool frequency, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches, thirst, bloating or cramps. Keep within your daily protein limit and avoid excess consumption.

    Allergic Reaction

    • Since whey protein is derived from milk, it may cause you to have an allergic reaction if you are allergic to cow's milk. You might experience wheezing, vomiting or hives. If you are lactose intolerant, which is different than being allergic, you might have bloating, cramps, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation.

    Other Health Risks

    • Diets that are high in protein often increase protein intake while leaving out fruits and vegetables. Doing this causes you not to get disease-fighting nutrients packed in such foods, which may raise your risk of cancer. If your diet is high in protein, you will also excrete more calcium through your urine than those not on a high-protein diet. In the long term, the loss of calcium raises your risk of developing osteoporosis. Furthermore, research suggests that if you have impaired kidneys, such as from kidney disease, you might lose kidney function more rapidly if you eat excessive amounts of protein. Other health risks include high cholesterol, heart disease and kidney disease.

    Tips

    • Talk to your doctor before you begin taking whey protein. You might not experience negative side effects, but it is best to seek medical advice any time you change your diet. When looking for whey protein, pay attention to the amount of protein per gram. A package might say it has 50 g per serving, but if a serving is 75 g of whey powder, then the amount of protein per gram is not very high. Also, compare the other ingredients, such as calories and carbohydrates, to find the right whey for you.

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