Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It can be caused by lifestyle choices and other factors, including genetics. Although there is no cure for cardiovascular disease, there are things you can do to help prevent it. Can Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) be one way of preventing this disease?
Whey protein isolate is the most popular dietary supplement in the world, but does it affect cardiovascular health? To answer this question, we must first address the role of nutrition and bodybuilding in cardiovascular disease.
Role of Exercise and Nutrition in Cardiovascular disease
Exercise and nutrition play a vital role in the prevention of heart disease. People who are inactive and overweight are more likely to develop heart disease. Exercise can be as simple as walking, jogging, or biking. Exercise should be performed 3-5 days per week for 30 minutes or more per day. Eating a healthy diet will also help you lose weight and prevent heart disease.
Exercise is important for your heart because it makes your heart muscle stronger and helps your body use oxygen more efficiently. Stronger heart muscles pump blood more efficiently throughout the body, which will reduce your chance of developing high blood pressure (hypertension).
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) Can Help Lower LDL Cholesterol
LDL cholesterol is often referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because a high LDL level in the blood can cause fatty deposits to build up in arteries, restricting blood flow. This can lead to atherosclerosis, a narrowing or blockage of the arteries that increase heart attack and stroke risk.
High LDL cholesterol is one of the most common risk factors for heart disease. While there are lots of ways to lower LDL levels, some evidence suggests that consuming whey protein may be one option.
Whey protein helps increase your intake of amino acids, which are necessary for building muscle and repairing body tissue. It also contains a number of essential amino acids that your body can’t produce on its own — meaning they must come from your diet.
The real benefit of whey protein is its ability to reduce inflammation and reduce blood sugar levels after meals – both of which are key factors in reducing heart disease risk.
Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) Can Help Regulate Blood Pressure
The kidneys are part of the body’s self-purifying system. They are responsible for filtering out and excreting excess salt, water, and toxins from the body. As a result, it is important to keep your kidneys healthy for the rest of your body to function properly. Whey protein can help regulate high blood pressure by reducing the amount of sodium in the kidney.
Please note that having too much protein can have a different effect on the kidneys. Always ask a doctor to know the right amount of protein to consume.
Ways you can include protein in your diet
You have seen how whey protein can help you and your cardiovascular health. Though it might be challenging to include them in one’s diet due to schedule and other factors, here are quick ways that you can make sure you get your daily dose of protein:
1. Add it to a smoothie. If you’re trying to get more protein in your diet, adding whey protein to a smoothie is an easy way to do it. Mix one scoop of your favorite flavor of whey with two cups of milk and ice, then add a banana or other fruit for taste.
2. Use it in baked goods. Whey protein tastes great when added to your favorite muffin or cookie recipe. Cut the amount of flour in the recipe in half and replace it with whey — it will give the muffins or cookies an extra boost of protein while keeping them moist and delicious.
3. Eat it as breakfast cereal. If you like your cereal with milk, try mixing one serving of whey protein into a bowl of cereal and some raisins or other fruit for sweetness and crunchiness. You’ll be surprised how good this tastes!
4. Make a protein shake. This is the traditional use for whey — mix one scoop into a cup of water or milk and shake well before drinking.
Other benefits of WPI:
Whey protein has many benefits, including:
It may help you lose body fat while increasing lean muscle mass.
It may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
It helps keep you feeling full longer and can reduce appetite, which may aid weight loss.
It may boost your immune system.
It may support healthy aging by lowering levels of biomarkers for aging, such as C-reactive protein (CRP).
Whey protein is a great choice as part of a healthy and balanced diet, as can be seen in the article above. Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) helps reduce your potential for cardiovascular disease and is also beneficial to your immune system. Whey protein in its various forms can provide valuable nutritional supplementation to just about anyone.
