Effect of whey supplementation on circulating C-reactive protein: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 25671415 · doi:10.3390/nu7021131
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to evaluate the effect of whey protein and its derivatives on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP). A literature search was conducted through July 2014, pooling effect sizes using fixed-effects or random-effects models. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted based on whey dosage and baseline CRP levels.
What was found
Across 9 randomized controlled trials, whey supplementation resulted in a non-significant reduction of 0.42 mg/L (95% CI -0.96 to 0.13) in CRP level, with relatively high heterogeneity across studies. Subgroup analyses showed significant CRP reductions in trials with a daily dose ≥20 g/day (-0.72 mg/L; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.47) and in trials with baseline CRP ≥3 mg/L (-0.67 mg/L; 95% CI -1.21 to -0.14). Baseline CRP was identified as a potential effect modifier in meta-regression.
Why it matters
Whey supplementation does not lower CRP overall, though it may reduce systemic inflammation at doses of at least 20 g/day or in individuals with elevated baseline CRP.
Limits
The abstract does not report the total number of participants, demographics, trial durations, or comparator types. There was relatively high heterogeneity across the 9 included trials, and overall effects were non-significant.
Cited by
- supports Randomized controlled trials show that whey protein supplementation has either a neutral or positive (reducing) effect on inflammatory markers.