Undenatured Whey Protein

It's important to understand the damage done by heat and industrial processing to raw whey. Whey is a food not meant to be heated.

Raw whey is a component of raw milk, which separates naturally into "curds and whey." Whey is also a byproduct of cheese manufacture, which is the source of typical commercial "denatured" whey.

"Denatured" Whey Protein

• Pasteurization
• Ion exchange
• Hydrolysis ("hydrolyzed whey protein")
• High-temperature drying

These processes "denature" the fragile whey protein—deforming it and breaking it down. This damage creates an unhealthy product:

• Proteins are deformed into unnatural shapes not recognized by the body.
• Proteins are broken into free amino acids.
• Enzymes are destroyed.
• Immune factors are destroyed.

Hydrolyzed whey protein in particular contains processed free glutamic acid, which is the harmful component of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The free glutamic acid is created as part of the hydrolysis process.

More Information

TruthInLabeling.org: What is the difference between the glutamic acid found in protein and the potentially harmful manufactured glutamic acid we refer to as MSG?

Glutathione

Glutathione is a protein made and used in every cell of the body. It's an antioxidant and a detoxifier; it's also an essential element of important antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. It is essential to immune function.

Glutathione levels have been found to be low in degenerative diseases, other illnesses, and aging.

A variety of methods have been tried to raise glutathione levels. Taking glutathione as a supplement has been found ineffective. Injections and intravenous delivery have questionable effectiveness and safety.

Undenatured whey, however, has been shown to raise glutathione levels. It contains a natural form of the bonded cysteine necessary for glutathione creation. The body then builds its own glutathione as needed inside the cells.

Denatured whey cannot offer this. The cysteine, no longer bonded, is ineffective or even toxic.

Immunocal

The outstanding undenatured whey protein is Immunocal, manufactured by Immunotec. It is listed in the Physician's Desk Reference as a non-prescription medical food, generally regarded as safe.

Immunocal is the brand used by the clinical and research studies on whey. The Physician's Desk Reference states that Immunocal is "clinically proven to raise glutathione values."

Each serving (10 grams of powdered whey) is made from one gallon of raw milk, from pasture-fed organically raised cows.