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Whey Protein: Empowering Immune Health

Here’s a deep dive into whey protein benefits for immune system health—based on key bioactives and amino acids—that make whey protein a top choice for immune support products.

Highlights

  • Whey protein contains a combination of bioactives that support immunity in multiple ways.
  • Whey protein is rich in key amino acids required by the immune system.
  • Numerous studies support the link between whey protein and immune health.
  • Whey protein adds unique value to immune-support foods, beverages, and supplements—including healthy aging and sports nutrition products.

Consumer interest in immune health has surged in recent years, driven by increased awareness of the importance of a robust immune system to maintaining health. Many are turning to foods, beverages, and supplements due to the foundational role of nutrition in supporting a strong immune system. The links between whey protein and immune health offer a valuable opportunity for brands to meet this need.

Unveiling Whey Protein’s Immune-Supporting Properties

Whey protein is rich in bioactives that support the immune system. Some of the most studied dairy bioactives are lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, glycomacropeptides (GMPs), alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA), and beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG). Understanding the whey protein benefits for immune system support can help brands communicate the distinct advantages of products made with this ingredient.

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that can bind the iron needed by pathogenic bacteria to grow.1 Lactoferrin also has direct antimicrobial effects against bacteria, viruses, and fungi2 and acts as an immunomodulator. In this role, it enhances the ability of immune cells (including macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells)3, to respond to infections—benefiting short- and long-term immunity.

Immunoglobulins are a group of proteins, also known as antibodies, that can identify and neutralize pathogenic bacteria and viruses4 and also support mucosal immunity through immunoglobulin A (IgA)5. Whey protein naturally contains a range of immunoglobulins, such as IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM.

protein

Glycomacropeptides (GMPs) are peptides in milk that support the immune system in several ways: by acting as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria⁶, through immunomodulation, and direct antibacterial action.⁷

Bioactive proteins alpha-lactalbumin (α-LA) and beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) also provide immune benefits; α-LA can increase antibodies’ response to infection via B-lymphocytes and T-cells8,9 and β-LG supports antioxidant activity10. Both enhance the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects immune cells from oxidative damage.

Besides bioactives, whey protein contains amino acids critical to immune system function. The amino acid glutamine helps muscle glycogen update and prevent the immune function decline with the body’s glutamine demand higher during times of stress and intense physical activity11. Cysteine is a precursor for glutathione, which  removes free radicals from the body12, regulates the immune system, and has direct antimicrobial effects.

Scientific Insights: Whey Protein’s Role in Immune Health

Research into whey protein and immune health has shown various positive impacts on immune system function. One study confirmed the immunomodulatory properties of whey protein extracts (through priming neutrophils) and its potential to increase the body’s defenses,13 while another concluded that whey and lactoferrin modulate oxidative stress and the inflammatory response by activating intestinal TLR immune system receptors.14

woman pouring protein powder

Studies also found that microfiltered whey protein isolate significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation,15 and that increasing the amount of whey protein consumed by participants led to a corresponding linear increase in lymphocyte GSH levels, with 45 grams/day for two weeks increasing lymphocyte GSH levels by 24%.16

Whey protein has been determined to play a protective role against a range of immune/inflammatory diseases, including gastritis, colitis, and asthma, with effects considered to be comparable with the effects observed with many medicines.5 Additionally, whey protein concentrate may activate adaptive immunity (by modulating helper T cells) for long-term immunity.17

Whey protein also has a vital role in the early years. During early life, whey protein can enhance innate mucosal immunity18.

Incorporating Whey Protein into Immune-Boosting Products

The science-backed benefits of whey protein for immunity make it an ideal ingredient for functional immune-support supplements, beverages and bars, and healthy aging products. Bioactive lactoferrin, trending in infant formulas and immunity supplements, can also be added directly to these products.

women working out

Whey protein can be incorporated into sports nutrition products, both for muscle support and to support athletes' immune defenses, helping them maintain health and optimum performance. Communicating the immune support benefits of whey protein is key for brands since it may be less well-known than its muscle-building role. The neutral taste and color of whey protein make it easy to include in formulations.

Elevate Your Brand with Immune-Supporting Whey Protein

As an ingredient, whey protein provides a unique value proposition—through its natural bioactives, abundant amino acids, and scientific support—that can significantly elevate the functional benefits of products, specifically in the area of immune health.

Tap into the power of whey protein to fortify your products with unparalleled immune health benefits. Partner with us to harness scientific innovation and meet the growing consumer demand for functional nutrition.

Contact Glanbia Nutritionals  today to explore the possibilities.


References

1. Actor, J. K., Hwang, S.-A., & Kruzel, M. L. (2009). Lactoferrin as a natural immune modulator.
2. Wiesner J; Vilcinskas A Antimicrobial Peptides: The Ancient Arm of the Human Immune System. Virulence 2010, 1 (5), 440–464. 10.4161/viru.1.5.12983.
3. Jeffrey K. Actor, Shen-An Hwang, Marian L. Kruzel. Curr Pharm Des. 2009; 15(17): 1956–1973. Lactoferrin as a Natural Immune Modulator.
4. 20.6B: Structure and Function of Antibodies. The LibreTexts libraries
5. Ajay Patel; Ishwarlal Jialal. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Biochemistry, Immunoglobulin A
6. Bryna Rackerby 1, Hoang Ngoc M Le 1, Avery Haymowicz 1, David C Dallas 1 2, Si Hong Park. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2024 Mar;44(2):299-308. doi: 10.5851/kosfa.2024.e12. Epub 2024 Mar 1. Potential Prebiotic Properties of Whey Protein and Glycomacropeptide in Gut Microbiome.
7. Samuel M. Adler, Matthew R. Paluska, Kimberly R. Svoboda, David C. Dallas, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 115, April 2024, 106084. Immunomodulatory bioactivities of glycomacropeptide.
8. Bounous, G., Kongshavn, P. A., & Gold, P. (1988). The immunoenhancing property of dietary whey protein concentrate. Clinical and Investigative Medicine, 11(4), 271–278.
9. Bounous, G., Létourneau, L., & Kongshavn, P. A. (1983). Influence of dietary protein type on the immune system of mice. The Journal of Nutrition, 113(7), 1415–1421.
10. Antioxidant nature of bovine milk beta-lactoglobulin.Liu HC, Chen WL, Mao SJJ Dairy Sci. 2007 Feb; 90(2):547-55.
11. Alfredo Córdova-Martínez,1,* Alberto Caballero-García,2 Hugo J Bello,3 Daniel Pérez-Valdecantos,1 and Enrique Roche. Nutrients. 2021 Jun; 13(6): 2073. Published online 2021 Jun 17. doi: 10.3390/nu13062073. Effect of Glutamine Supplementation on Muscular Damage Biomarkers in Professional Basketball Players 
12. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidant-supplements-what-you-need-…
13. Rusu, D., Drouin, R., Pouliot, Y. et al. A bovine whey protein extract stimulates human neutrophils to generate bioactive IL-1Ra through a NF-kappaB- and MAPK-dependent mechanism. J Nutr. 2010 Feb;140(2):382-91. doi: 10.3945/jn.109.109645.
14. Buey, B., Bellés, A., Latorre, E. et al. Comparative effect of bovine buttermilk, whey, and lactoferrin on the innate immunity receptors and oxidative status of intestinal epithelial cells. Biochem Cell Biol. 2021 Feb;99(1):54-60. doi: 10.1139/bcb-2020-0121.
15. Mercier, A., Gauthier, S.F., Fliss, I. Immunomodulating effects of whey proteins and their enzymatic digests, Int. Dairy J. 2004:14(3):175-183. doi: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2003.08.003.
16. Zavorsky, G.S., Kubow, S., Grey, V. et al. An open-label dose-response study of lymphocyte glutathione levels in healthy men and women receiving pressurized whey protein isolate supplements. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2007 Sep;58(6):429-36. doi: 10.1080/09637480701253581.
17. Ha, D.J., Kim, D., Kim. S et al. Dietary Whey Protein Supplementation Increases Immunoglobulin G Production by Affecting Helper T Cell Populations after Antigen Exposure. Foods, 2021 Jan 19;10(1): 194. doi: 10.3390/foods10010194.
18. J Nutr Biochem. 2012 Dec:23(12):1640-6. Doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.11.006. Epub 2012 Mar 22. Modulation of immune cell proliferation and chemotaxis towards CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-21 and CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-12 in undenatured whey protein-treated mice.

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