Whey Protein, Amino Acids May Boost Fat Loss

ByKathleen Doheny
WebMD Health News Reviewed byLaura J. Martin, MD

Dec. 14, 2012 -- Adding essential amino acids and whey protein to a weight loss plan appears to increase fat loss, according to new research.

The study was done in older, obese adults, but the strategy may also work for younger adults, says researcher Robert Coker, PhD. He is an associate professor of geriatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.

In his new study, he compared two kinds of meal replacements. One was a protein replacement without essential amino acids. The other was a meal replacement with essential amino acids and whey protein.

The replacement with whey won.

"Essential amino acids, included as part of a meal replacement, along with whey protein, improved the synthesis of muscle and led to a greater loss of fat," he says.

Both groups lost about 7% of their total body weight. But the amino acids and whey group lost a greater percentage of fat to lean tissue. 

Increasing fat loss during a weight loss program translates to a better and healthier body composition, experts say.

12 Diet Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Adding Whey, Amino Acids: Study Details

Coker studied 12 obese men and women, all 65 to 80 years old. 

They were assigned to the meal replacement group or the meal replacement with amino acids and whey group. All were allotted 1,200 calories a day.

Coker evaluated the 11 who completed the eight-week program to see the effect of each plan on fat and muscle.

The meal replacement with whey and amino acids did not preserve lean muscle tissue much better than the other meal replacement.

It did boost fat loss. At the start of the study, the meal-replacement-alone group was about 39% fat; at the study end, they averaged 37.5% fat. The group getting meal replacement with amino acids and whey had 41.8% body fat at the start but 36.3% at the end.

Body weight losses were similar -- both groups started at about 200 pounds and finished at an average of 185.

The whey and amino acid supplement ''increased muscle metabolism, and this may have triggered a greater reduction in body fat," Coker says.

Could the same strategy help younger adults? "I think the answer potentially is yes," Coker says. His study looked only at those 65-plus, and they were obese. But other research has indicated the approach could help younger people, he says.

Losing excess body fat is an important goal, Coker says. Among other effects, it promotes inflammation and insulin resistance, making the body less apt to use insulin effectively.

The product studied by Coker is not available to the public.

The study was supported by an NIH Small Business Innovation Research grant and other grants. The small business grant was administered through HealthSpan, which makes a whey protein product. Coker and other co-authors were compensated by HealthSpan as consultants for the grant.

1 | 2 Next Page > #url_reference {display: none};#url_reference { display: block; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 10px; }#logo_rdr img { visibility: visible; }.titleBar_rdr .titleBarMiddle_fmt { padding-top: 1.5em !important;} Top Picks Is It Ok to Take a Day Off From Dieting? Detox Diets: Get the Facts Dietitians' Top 10 Diet Tips Craving Carbs: Is It Depression? Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair Foods and Drinks That Can Cause Bedwetting Related to Healthy Eating & Nutrition Sex, Intimacy, and Overactive Bladder Best Foods for Your Teeth Lactose Intolerant? How to Do Dairy Is Your Diet Causing Bad Breath? Eat Well With Ulcerative Colitis Which Foods Are Giving You Heartburn? Weight Loss & Diet Plans Weight Loss Basics Popular Diet Plans Weight Loss Strategies Tools & Calculators Diet Support Fitness & Exercise Exercise Benefits Tips for Success Get Lean Get Strong Fuel Your Body Expert Advice Food & Recipes Nutrition Cooking Tips Recipes Special Diets Food Resources Healthy Eating Guides Gluten-Free High Protein Low Sodium Vegetarian See what others are asking about

Visit WebMD Answers

Related To Diet Calorie Counter Cholesterol Diabetes Diet Evaluator Heart Health Hypertension Nutrition Questions and Answers Vitamins and Supplements Guide Weight Loss Surgery More Living Healthy Healthy Living Tools See All Tools Ditch Those Inches

Set goals, tally calorie intake, track workouts and more, all via WebMD’s free Food & Fitness Planner.

Get Started Today in Weight Loss & Diet Plans Video Healthiest Supermarket Foods Blog 400 Pounds at 40: Gigi's Story   Article Is Your Diet Aging You? Quiz Caffeine Myths and Facts   Video Spring Clean Your Pantry Quiz Fats: How Much Do You Know?   Article Your Diabetes Menu Plan Article 10 Best Foods for Hair Health   Video Washing Greens: What to Know Article Fiber-Rich Lunch Ideas for Kids   Article Healthy Eating Habits for Teens fitfor Teens 5 Reasons to Toss Your Skinny Jeans   Subscribe to WebMD Newsletters

WebMD Daily Women's Health Men's Health Weight Loss Wisdom I have read and agree to WebMD's Privacy Policy. Submit Sign up for more topics! Special Sections Healthy New Year: Better Eating Resolutions Functional Foods for a Heart-Healthy Eating Plan Top Diet, Fitness and Beauty Tips Health Solutions From Our Sponsors Vaccine Questions? Low Testosterone? Diabetes Care for Kids Birth Control for Moms Blood Sugar Control Bent Fingers? Diagnosed With Low T? Fibromyalgia & Exercise Child’s Hearing Loss? Insulin Pump Therapy Vaccines for All Ages Knee Pain Relief Depression & Adults Bipolar Disorder Facts Relapsing MS Help In-depth coverage: Psoriasis Treatment on Target?|Healthy Mouth Help|RA Assessment|Living Healthy Guide|Family & Pregnancy Toolbox|Check Your Heartburn Symptoms Find us on:URAC: Accredited Health Web SiteHonCode: Health on the Net FoundationAdChoicesAbout WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact UsMedscape Reference eMedicineHealth RxList Medscape MedicineNet BootsWebMD WebMD CorporateMedical Dictionary-->First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory

©2005-2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.

View the Original article