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[TigerMask]

Is whey protein isolate helpful or harmful to the liver? I've searched the internet and I find the results contradictory.

Is it worth adding to a liver support regimen for someone who may potentially have liver damage?

[TigerMask]

From my research, it seems that in proper doses (not too high) whey protein is helpful to the liver, that is, unless you have significant liver damage, mainly hepatitis C. Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can be helped by whey.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11508322

1. J Med. 2000;31(5-6):283-302.

Nutritional therapy of chronic hepatitis by whey protein (non-heated).

Watanabe A, Okada K, Shimizu Y, Wakabayashi H, Higuchi K, Niiya K, Kuwabara Y,
Yasuyama T, Ito H, Tsukishiro T, Kondoh Y, Emi N, Kohri H.

Third Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical
University, Toyama, Japan.

In an open study the clinical efficacy of milk serum (whey) protein (Immunocal;
cysteine content: 7.6-fold higher than that of casein) isolated from fresh milk
and purified without heating was evaluated in 25 patients with chronic hepatitis
B or C. Immunocal (12 g as protein) food (mousse) was given twice a day, in the
morning and evening, for 12 weeks (test period). Casein (12 g as protein) food
(mousse) was similarly given for two weeks prior to the start of the supplement
with Immunocal food (induction period) and for four weeks after the end of the
supplement with Immunocal food (follow-up period). Serum alanine aminotransferase
(ALT) activity was reduced, and plasma glutathione (GSH) levels increased in six
and five of eight patients with chronic hepatitis B, respectively, 12 weeks after
the start of the supplement with Immunocal food. Serum lipid peroxide levels
significantly decreased, and interleukin (IL)-2 levels and natural killer (NK)
activity significantly increased. However, there were no significant
Immunocal-related changes in 17 patients with chronic hepatitis C. These findings
suggest that the long-term supplement with Immunocal alone may be effective for
improving liver dysfunctions in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

PMID: 11508322 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]