Concerned about Whey Protein Side Effects?

There has not been a single scientific study using healthy adults with normal kidney function that has shown any kidney dysfunction whatsoever from a high protein, or whey protein diet.

There are absolutely no documented or recorded whey protein side effects. Whey is derived from milk during cheese manufacturing so it's totally safe to consume. It is a natural food substance and is as safe to take as milk itself!

There are some minor whey protein side effects you should be aware of however. Whey protein may cause allergic reactions in people who suffer from lactose intolerance or who are generally allergic to dairy products. Although whey protein has very little lactose, and in the case of whey protein isolates and hydrolyzed whey protein which has virtually no lactose, you may still experience the same reactions you'd have drinking milk or consuming any other dairy product. The best thing you can do if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products is to consult your doctor before incorporating whey protein in your diet.

As for any major whey protein side effects, there is debate over the excessive intake of protein over the long-term (whey protein or any protein). Some experts believe that long-term, excessive protein intake (again whey protein or any protein) may be associated with deteriorating kidney function. Interestingly enough, there isn't any research that supports the idea of kidney damage due to excessive protein intake, but many experts still insist that there is a risk. There are also some experts that believe excessive protein intake can damage the liver and possibly bring about osteoporosis over the long-term.

There is an excellent article by Will Brink, a well-known author and nutrition expert, called, "Nutritional Myths that Just Won't Die: Protein!" that I encourage you to read. In my opinion, he sets the record straight on whey protein side effects and excessive protein intake. If you like this article and what he has to say, you might want to check out his book, Bodybuilding Revealed - Build Muscle Mass Without The Fat. It's loaded with information on general nutrition and bodybuilding supplements. It's one of the best sources of objective nutritional information I've been able to find.

Here is my take on this subject; like everything in life, too much of a good thing is just that - too much. Moderation is the key with anything you consume whether it's food, alcohol or supplement.  Read my page on proteins to get some guidelines on what protein intakes might work best for you.

If you're wondering what the best protein on the market is, I always recommend Optimum Nutrition 100% Classic Whey, 5 Lbs., Chocolate from Bodybuilding.com. It's very affordable, yet not "cheap" and still a high quality, great tasting protein. I've tried a lot of them and the cheaper brands are made of low quality proteins and in general just do not taste very good at all. Your results may vary, but the Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey always gets great reviews by anyone that takes it. You can find my official review of this on my blog here: Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Protein Reviews

Other whey protein related pages:

What is Whey Protein?
Whey Protein Concentrate
Whey Protein Isolate
Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Benefits of Whey Protein
Whey Protein Articles
Whey Protein Reviews & Recommendations