Friday Nov 22, 2013 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in PLoS One suggests consuming whey protein isolate or whey protein concentrates may help prevent obesity in children who eat a high fat diet.

B. Tranberg from University of Copenhagen in Frederiksberg C, Denmark and colleagues conducted the study and found whey protein isolate when added to a high fat diet slowed weight gain in five week-old male mice.

Early research shows dairy products, including whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrates alleviate the metabolic syndrome.  The researchers proposed the beneficial effect of whey protein may be associated with changes in the gut flora or microbiota composition. 

To test the hypothesis, five-week-old male mice ate a high-fat diet ad libitum for 14 weeks with either whey protein or casein supplemented.  Relevant measurements and analyses were conducted for the study.

Whey protein significantly reduced weight gain during the first four weeks of dietary intervention, compared with casein.  However, weight gain was similar in both the study group and the control group.  As a result, mice on the high fat diet with whey protein isolate weighed 15% less than those on the diet with casein.

Food intake was similar in both groups while fasting insulin and serum cholesterol were lower and glucose clearance was improved in the group eating whey protein isolate, compared with the mice on the high fat diet with casein.

Regardless, the composition of the fecal microbiota varied by the type of diet, high fat and low fat at 13 weeks of dietary intervention.  But no difference was observed in the group on the diet with whey protein and the group on the diet with casein.

The study concluded whey protein reduced weight gain in young mice fed a high-fat diet, compared to casein.   The protein supplements did not affect the weight gain later, but did alleviated glucose intolerance, improved insulin sensitivity and lower plasma cholesterol.

Whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrates are available as dietary supplements on the Internet and local health stores.  These proteins were commonly used for body building. (David Liu, PHD)