whey protein

Protein separated from whey, in any form: isolate, concentrate or hydrolysate. Most trials of whey, and nearly every meta-analysis, pool the forms or do not say which was given, so this node takes all of them and the form is recorded with every finding, including when it is not stated. A trial of the isolate alone is filed under whey protein isolate, which sits under this node.

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6 findings

Findings

6 findings

Direction

6 shown

Physical performanceMoved: raisesEffect, as reportedSMD0.561[0.256 to 0.865]Evidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 371968762023
Who
Older adults aged over 60, healthy and sarcopenic or frail, in randomised trials of whey protein alone; all trials pooled, not a subgroup
Dose studied
15 to 40 g/day of whey protein across the whey-alone trials
The analysis revealed that whey protein supplementation improved physical performance (SMD = 0.561; 95% CI: 0.256, 0.865; n = 33) (Table 4; Figure 3 and Supplemental Figure S13).”
Quoted verbatim from Whey Protein Supplementation with or without Vitamin D on Sarcopenia-Related Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysisPermalink
Muscle protein fractional synthetic rateMoved: raisesEffect, as reportedSMD1.87[0.99 to 2.76]Evidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 408716072025
Who
Healthy non-sedentary adults (371 participants across the 21 included trials, 338 men and 33 women, most with resistance-training experience), myofibrillar FSR measured 3 to 5 h after a single exercise bout; 10 trials pooled; the exercise bout was given to both arms
Dose studied
10 g to 60 g of whey protein per session, taken around a single exercise bout
The findings demonstrated that the combination of exercise and whey protein supplementation resulted in a significant increase in myofibrillar FSR compared to exercise alone (Hedge’s g of 1.87; 95% CI: 0.99 to 2.76; p < 0.001).”
Quoted verbatim from Whey Protein Supplementation Combined with Exercise on Muscle Protein Synthesis and the AKT/mTOR Pathway in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysisPermalink
Handgrip strength (hand dynamometer)Moved: no difference foundEvidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 374321572023
Who
Community-dwelling older adults (over 60 years) with sarcopenia diagnosed mainly by EWGSOP criteria; ten randomised trials, handgrip by dynamometry in seven
Dose studied
daily dose of active product 40 g in most trials, 20 to 80 g across trials
Regarding the effect of whey protein intake on handgrip strength, the data showed no difference compared with the control intervention, as shown in Figure 4 (p = 0.171; Z = 1.369; CI 95%: −0.055–0.309).”
Quoted verbatim from The Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenia Progression among the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysisPermalink
Fasting blood glucoseMoved: no difference foundEffect, as reportedMD−0.61[−2.83 to 1.62]Evidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 329580702020
Who
People with metabolic syndrome or related conditions (overweight or obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, polycystic ovary syndrome); 17 trials with 20 effect sizes
Dose studied
daily doses from about 4 g to 90 g, or 0.4 to 0.5 g/kg; trials lasted 4 to 24 weeks
Whey protein intake did not have any effect on FPG (17 studies with 20 effect sizes) (WMD: -0.61; 95% CI: − 2.83, 1.62) (Table 2 & Fig. 2a).”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of whey protein on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.meta-analysisPermalink
Fat massMoved: no difference foundEffect, as reportedMD−0.033[−0.465 to 0.398]Evidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 371968762023
Who
Older adults aged over 60, healthy and sarcopenic or frail, in randomised trials of whey protein alone; fat mass reported in 14 of the 30 included trials
Dose studied
15 to 40 g/day of whey protein across the whey-alone trials
In addition, results showed that supplementation with whey had no significant effect on fat mass (MD = −0.033; 95% CI: −0.465, 0.398; n = 12) (Supplemental Table S11).”
Quoted verbatim from Whey Protein Supplementation with or without Vitamin D on Sarcopenia-Related Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysisPermalink
Body massMoved: no difference foundEvidence: ModeratePaper: PMID 374321572023
Who
Community-dwelling older adults (over 60 years) with sarcopenia; ten randomised trials, whey protein vs placebo
Dose studied
daily dose of active product 40 g in most trials, 20 to 80 g across trials
Regarding the effect of whey protein intake on physical performance, the data showed that there were no changes in weight, as shown in Figure 10 (p = 0.140; Z = 1.477; CI 95%: −0.032–0.230).”
Quoted verbatim from The Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenia Progression among the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.meta-analysisPermalink

No dose is advised.

Papers about it

Papers: 324

Found by a search for it322

Show the newest 12Hide the papers

Feasibility of whey protein powder supplementation in patients who are neurocritically ill: A post hoc analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Nutrition in clinical practice2026PMID 40268509Via: a search for it
A Combination of Whey Protein and Vitamin D Reduces Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Archives of medical research2026PMID 41232427Via: a search for it
Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp-Rich Whey Protein Hydrolysate Shows the Reduction in Waist Circumference and Improvement of Mood in Healthy Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study.
The Journal of nutrition2026PMID 41297635Via: a search for it
Effects of Greek Yogurt Versus Whey Protein Supplementation on Markers of Bone Turnover and Inflammation in University Athletes: A 24-Week Intervention Study.
International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism2026PMID 41493773Via: a search for it
A randomized controlled trial in healthy participants to compare the insulinogenic effects of whey protein and pea protein co-ingested with glucose.
PloS one2026PMID 41615946Via: a search for it
Effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng Saponins Extract on the Pharmacokinetics of Whey Protein Absorption, Intestinal Permeability, and Muscle Function: A Pilot Study.
Nutrients2026PMID 41683325Via: a search for it
The effects of whey protein supplementation on athletic performance and body composition in adolescent soccer players: a randomized controlled trial.
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism2026PMID 41713391Via: a search for it
Effectiveness of Whey Protein Supplementation in Weight Loss Interventions for Patients with Obesity: A Systematic Review.
Nutrients2026PMID 41754212Via: a search for it
Fermented Whey Protein Supplement Slows the Progression of Frailty and Sarcopenia Among Older Korean Adults: A Randomized Blinded Trial.
Journal of medicinal food2026PMID 41805014Via: a search for it
Effects of Resistance Exercise and Whey Protein Supplementation on Irisin Levels in Patients with MASLD Under a Calorie-Restricted Diet.
Nutrients2026PMID 42075090Via: a search for it
Protein yogurt and whey protein produce comparable muscle gains, but divergent microbiome shifts during strength training in older adults.
Scientific reports2026PMID 42151371Via: a search for it
Combined effects of strength training, whey protein, and HMB on sarcopenia in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine2026PMID 42700006Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it

and 310 more.

About it6

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Combined effects of strength training, whey protein, and HMB on sarcopenia in older people: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine2026PMID 42700006Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it
Whey Protein Supplementation with or without Vitamin D on Sarcopenia-Related Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)2023PMID 37196876Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it
The Impact of Whey Protein Supplementation on Sarcopenia Progression among the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients2023PMID 37432157Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it
Effectiveness of Whey Protein Supplementation during Resistance Exercise Training on Skeletal Muscle Mass and Strength in Older People with Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients2023PMID 37571361Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it
Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients2022PMID 36235862Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it
Effects of whey protein on glycemic control and serum lipoproteins in patients with metabolic syndrome and related conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.
Lipids in health and disease2020PMID 32958070Via: named in the paper, as read; a search for it

As a co-exposure1

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The effects of supplementation with creatine and protein on muscle strength following a traditional resistance training program in middle-aged and older men.
The journal of nutrition, health & aging2010PMID 20126965Via: named in the paper, as read

As the comparator1

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The influence of bovine colostrum supplementation on exercise performance in highly trained cyclists.
British journal of sports medicine2006PMID 16825268Via: named in the paper, as read

Newest

Feasibility of whey protein powder supplementation in patients who are neurocritically ill: A post hoc analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Nutrition in clinical practice2026PMID 40268509Found by a search for it
A Combination of Whey Protein and Vitamin D Reduces Sarcopenia in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Archives of medical research2026PMID 41232427Found by a search for it
Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp-Rich Whey Protein Hydrolysate Shows the Reduction in Waist Circumference and Improvement of Mood in Healthy Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study.
The Journal of nutrition2026PMID 41297635Found by a search for it
Effects of Greek Yogurt Versus Whey Protein Supplementation on Markers of Bone Turnover and Inflammation in University Athletes: A 24-Week Intervention Study.
International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism2026PMID 41493773Found by a search for it
A randomized controlled trial in healthy participants to compare the insulinogenic effects of whey protein and pea protein co-ingested with glucose.
PloS one2026PMID 41615946Found by a search for it

Findings

Papers about it

Seven kinds