Dairy proteins and the regulation of satiety and obesity

Abstract

Over the past decade there has been growing scientific evidence and public acceptance of the role that dietary protein plays in regulation of satiety, feed intake and obesity-related disorders. Dietary protein appears to suppress food intake and delay the return of hunger more than fats or carbohydrates in a manner not due to energy content alone. Also, high-protein diets support the maintenance of muscle mass when subjects reduce their energy intake, ensuring primarily adipose tissue loss. Some protein sources, particularly dairy, contain specific peptides or proteins that may elicit direct effects on satiety. The major proteins present in milk include β-lactalbumin, α-lactoglobulin, immunoglobulins, bovine serum albumin, and the various caseins. In addition, processed whey contains glycomacropeptide, which stimulates pancreatic and gastrointestinal secretion of hormones involved in satiety to a greater extent than whey alone. In the context of the literature, we show that a glycomacropeptide-rich whey protein isolate decreases feed intake and weight gain to a greater extent than a soy protein isolate in obese pigs. Also, insulin sensitivity is improved in pigs consuming high-protein diets, with these effects being independent of protein source. While, high-protein diets may decrease calcium balance and bone strength, it appears that these effects are attenuated by dairy proteins and dairy sources of calcium. These findings suggest that high-protein diets, and in particular those that contain whey proteins, may reduce hunger and food intake, thereby reducing fat deposition and improving insulin sensitivity.