Posted on 23rd Jul 2012 @ 11:47 AM

This weeks topic regarding Aging and Whey Protein is in relation to Cancer. As mentioned last week there are approximately 11 million Americans living with cancer today, and over 200 different types of cancer that can have an affect on the human body. It’s safe to say that a good percentage of our population will have some experience with this disease in their lifetime.  

A Whey of Cancer Prevention?

For the men.

A health problem that we tend to face as we age is cancer, and new light is being shed on the benefits of whey protein supplementation and cancer prevention and treatment. A new study shows whey protein may play a role in prostate cancer prevention. Researchers found that when they treated human prostate cells in the lab with whey protein, the levels of glutathione rose by at least 60%. Antioxidants like glutathione are thought to fight cancer-causing free radicals.

Now let’s move to the women.

With breast cancer awareness at an all-time high so much energy is focused on early detection, but what about prevention? Current findings suggest that increasing your cysteine levels might have a preventative effect on breast cancer, researchers say. "High plasma total cysteine level may predict a reduced risk of breast cancer," said lead author Shumin Zhang, MD, ScD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. Women in this group (highest percentile of measured cysteine) had a 56% lower risk of developing breast cancer.

So what IS cysteine you ask?

Well, in basic terms it’s an amino acid that is a precursor (along with glycine and glutamic acid) for intracellular production of glutathione. Glycine and glutamic acid are readily available in most of our diets, but the availability of cysteine can be the limiting factor. It is found however, in high amounts in a non-denatured whey protein concentrate. The ‘non-denatured’ factor is key because if cysteine is overly processed (as all conventional dairy and dairy by-products are), it is denatured and converted to cystine. 

What We Can All Be Doing

If you're concerned about cancer prevention the Mayo Clinic has 7 tips to reduce your risk.  They say making even small changes in your daily life can make a big difference down the road. Consider these 7 real-life cancer prevention tips:

1.  Don't Use Tobacco.  Kick the smoking habit NOW!

2.  Eat a Healthy Diet.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit bad fats, consume alcohol only in moderation.

3.  Maintain Healthy Weight and Exercise Daily - aim for at least 30 min of physical activity every day.

4.  Protect Yourself From the Sun.  Don't skimp on the sunscreen.

5.  Get Immunized.  Specifically Hep B and HPV can lead to certain types of cancer.

6.  Avoid Risky Behaviors.  Practice safe sex and don't share needles.

7.  Take Early Detection Seriously.  Conduct self-exam's and schedule professional screenings for various types of cancer.

Could you Benefit From Whey Protein?

Our grass-fed whey protein products, ImmunoPro^®, RenewPro^® and Vital Whey^® are all made with Proserum^®, the finest native whey protein.  Children all the way up through the elderly are benefiting from our whey protein products.  It is created to maintain all original regenerative and immune enhancing native protein components and has the full range and highest levels of naturally-occurring glutathione (GSH) precursors: covalent bonded cysteine, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and active peptides.  To view our full product line please click here.

If you are 50+ years young, have a conversation with your healthcare provider and ask if a whey protein supplement might be beneficial in your health treatment plan. Our need for quality protein as we age is of vital importance for helping us stay strong and healthy for years to come, and I think we all want to age gracefully! 

Resources

WebMD: Whey Protein May Prevent Prostate Cancer

American Association for Cancer Research: High Cysteine Levels Linked to Lower Rates of Breast Cancer

Mayo Clinic: Cancer Prevention: 7 Tips to Reduce Your Risk