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# Whey Protein Supplementation Linked to Acne among Bodybuilders
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/whey_protein_1223120201/
- Published: 2012-12-23T15:01:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:51:31.000Z
- Description: T. Simonart reported in Dermatology five cases of healthy men who developed acne after taking whey protein, noting that milk and dairy products enhance insulin/IGF-1 signaling and aggravate acne. Bodybuilders with acne may want to cut their daily whey intake.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Supplements, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

By Jimmy Downs

Sunday Dec 23, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- T. Simonart from Belgium reported in the journal of Dermatology that consuming whey protein may aggravate acne, which is often seen in young men and women who use lots of dairy products.

Whey protein is a popular food that is often used by bodybuilders to build muscle. It is more effective in promoting muscle growth than individual amino acids. It is unknown whether or not any other food component exists in whey protein that actually boosts the muscle building, but it is known that whey protein promotes the production of certain growth factors which is linked to muscle cell growth. 

Simonart reported five cases in which five healthy men who developed acne after the consumption of whey protein. The author suggested that this should not be surprising because it is known that milk and diary products enhance insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling and aggravate acne.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 is also linked to cancer growth and anything that promotes the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 should be considered a cancer promoter.

Bodybuilders who have developed acne may consider to reduce their daily intake of whey protein to minimize its acne promoting effect.