Energy Restriction + Whey = Dieting Success, BUT the Magic is not in the Alpha-Lactalbumin
Ever since the first studies showed the beneficial effect of dairy in general and whey in particular on weight loss induced by caloric restriction, scientists have been arguing for alpha-lactalbumin being the key, or at least one of the key factors that contribute to the anti-obesity effects of milk products. A group of scientists from Finland ( Shi. 2011 ) did now investigate the exact contribution of alpha-lactalbumin to the dairy / whey induced anti-obesity effects. For 50 days Shi et al. fed mice on one out of three isocaloric, energy restricted diets containing either casein (calcium 0.8%) or two different high-calcium (1.8%) whey protein -based (α-lac + Ca and AA + Ca) amino acid mixes , which differed only in the amount of a-lactalbumin they contained. The results contradict the hypothesis that alpha-lactalbumin is the/a major driving force behind dairy induced weight loss outcomes: The mice on α-lac and AA lost significantly more weight and body fat t...