New Study Supports Whey Protein's Role
in Improving Body Composition

6/9/2006

Compelling new evidence about the effects of whey protein on body composition was unveiled last month by researchers from the USDA¹. They found that individuals who consumed supplemental whey protein for six months weighed less and had less body fat than those who consumed a carbohydrate supplement. In addition, the study found that individuals in the whey protein group-without any additional exercise or reduction in calories-had a smaller waist circumference than those in both the soy protein and carbohydrate groups.

"While research is still emerging on this topic, the results of this study support existing research suggesting that whey protein may improve body composition by preserving lean body mass and promoting fat loss," said Dr. Joseph O'Donnell, executive director of the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) and chairman of the U.S. Whey Protein Research Consortium.² The consortium provided funding for the study.

Building on the findings of research linking whey protein to improved body composition,^3,4,5 Glanbia Nutritionals developed Prolibra® natural weight management solution. Prolibra is an all-natural, patent-pending, whey-derived system that blends the proven weight-reducing effects of whey protein with the benefits of bioactive peptides to provide a unique weight management solution. Prolibra works via a variety of mechanisms that have the ability to positively influence body composition: accelerating fat breakdown, reducing fat deposition, and maintaining lean body mass.

"Prolibra is more effective than standard WPC 80 because of the bioactive peptides in the formulation that lift it above standard intact proteins," commented Eric Bastian, Vice President of Research & Development at Glanbia. "We have excellent data to suggest a significant enhancement in weight and body fat reduction with our proprietary bioactive peptides compared to intact protein."

Glanbia's R & D team works with universities in the U.S. to conduct ongoing clinical research in support of Prolibra. In a recent clinical study designed to examine the effects of Prolibra on weight loss and body composition in a mouse model, consumption of bioactive peptides accelerated overall weight loss. The group consuming a high level of bioactive peptides showed the largest decrease in weight and body fat, and was significantly different when compared to other treatments and groups.

The nutritional benefits and neutral flavor of Prolibra lend themselves to a variety of weight management applications, including smoothies, dairy-based beverages, meal replacements, powdered drink mixes, nutrition bars and snacks.

Glanbia Nutritionals, a leading provider of science-based nutritional solutions, is a founding member of the U.S. Whey Protein Research Consortium. Glanbia Nutritionals is a division of Glanbia plc, an international food company headquartered in Kilkenny, Ireland.

References:

1. Baer DJ, et al. "Whey protein decreases body weight and fat in supplemented overweight and obese adults." EB 2006: Advancing the Biomedical Frontier, San Francisco, CA, April 2, 2006.

2. Esser, Corrine (Ed.). "Study finds whey protein improves body composition, reduces waist circumference." California Dairy Dispatch 15(4): 1.

3. Tipton, K.D., T.A. Elliott et al. (2004). "Ingestion of casein and whey proteins result in muscle anabolism after resistance exercise." Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(12): 2073-81.

4. Layman, D.K. (2003). "The role of leucine in weight loss diets and glucose homeostasis." J Nutr 133(1): 261S-267S.

5. Layman, D.K., R.A. Boileau, et al. (2003). "A reduced ratio of dietary carbohydrate to protein improves body composition and blood liquid profiles during weight loss in adult women." J Nutr 133(2): 411-7.