- Hippocrates and Whey: Historical Context (Perplexity AI)
- Association Between Whey and Vitamin D (Perplexity AI)
- VitaminDWiki - Sarcopenia (muscle loss) fought by Vitamin D, exercise and protein - many studies
- VitaminDWiki - Protein, muscles, bones and Vitamin D - many studies
- 50+ Evidence-Based Benefits of Whey Protein - June 2025
- Relative benefits of different forms of protein to fight Sarcopenia (clipped from Perplexity AI)
Hippocrates and Whey: Historical Context (Perplexity AI)
Hippocrates (c. 460–c. 370 BCE) was a renowned Greek physician from the island of Kos, widely regarded as the "Father of Medicine." He is credited with advancing the systematic study of clinical medicine, emphasizing observation, diagnosis, and ethical standards in medical practice 1 2 3 4. The medical texts attributed to him and his followers, known as the Hippocratic Corpus, laid the foundation for Western medicine.
Hippocrates’ Use of Whey
Whey is the liquid byproduct left after milk is curdled and strained during cheese production 5. Its use dates back thousands of years, with archaeological evidence of cheese and whey processing as early as 5500 BCE in Poland 6 7 8.
In ancient Greece, Hippocrates recognized the health benefits of whey and prescribed it to his patients. He referred to whey as “serum” or simply “the whey” and recommended it primarily to boost the immune system and promote general health 6 7 8. This practice is considered one of the earliest documented uses of whey for medicinal purposes:
"Hippocrates would prescribe whey protein to patients in order to boost their immune system. He referred to this magic liquid as 'serum.' Other doctors followed his lead and many sick people reaped benefits from the higher protein intake." 6
Whey’s use as a health tonic continued for centuries after Hippocrates, with other Greek physicians and later European practitioners adopting it as a remedy for various ailments 7 8.
Whey in Ancient Medicine
Hippocrates and his contemporaries believed that food and drink could be used therapeutically, and whey fit into this tradition as a nourishing, restorative liquid. While the scientific understanding of protein and immune function was not developed at the time, Hippocrates' empirical approach led him to recognize the benefits of whey for convalescence and recovery 6 7 8.
Summary Table: Hippocrates and Whey
| Aspect | Details |
| Who | Hippocrates (c. 460–c. 370 BCE), Greek physician, "Father of Medicine" |
| What | Prescribed whey ("serum") as a health remedy |
| Why | Believed to boost the immune system and aid recovery |
| How | Recommended as a drink for patients, part of dietary and therapeutic regimens |
| Historical Significance | Earliest recorded medicinal use of whey; practice continued in Greece and beyond |
Conclusion
Hippocrates’ advocacy for whey as a health-promoting substance marks one of the first recorded uses of a dairy byproduct in medicine. His empirical approach to health and nutrition influenced generations of physicians, establishing a tradition of using whey as a therapeutic agent that persisted for centuries 6 7 8.
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hippocrates
- https://www.biography.com/scholars-educators/hippocrates
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates
- https://www.vedantu.com/biography/hippocrates
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whey
- https://www.nzprotein.co.nz/article/history-of-whey-protein
- https://realgreekdairies.gr/en/blog-history-of-whey-protein-whey-bars/
- https://m2proteins.com/whey-protein-history/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3704070/
- https://www.livescience.com/62515-hippocrates.html
- https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/funny-science-hippocratic-medicine-and-four-humours
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4263393/
- https://www.greeknewsagenda.gr/hippocrates/
- https://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/23/4/507
- https://supplementfactoryuk.com/blog/2023/06/history-of-whey-protein/
- https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/lifestyles/whey-protein
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_e4HttTWR4
- https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-Whey-Prescription/Christopher-Vasey/9781594778933
- https://www.wellwisdom.com/where-does-whey-protein-come-from-a-brief-history-of-whey-protein/
- https://gognarly.com/blogs/blog/whey-protein-powder-benefits-the-ultimate-health-guide
Association Between Whey and Vitamin D (Perplexity AI)
Combined Supplementation for Muscle Health
There is a well-documented association between whey protein and vitamin D, particularly in the context of muscle health and physical performance. Multiple studies have investigated the effects of combining whey protein with vitamin D supplementation, often alongside other nutrients like leucine or branched-chain amino acids, in both young adults and older populations.
- Muscle Mass and Strength: Research shows that supplementing with both whey protein and vitamin D (often with added leucine) leads to greater improvements in muscle mass and strength during resistance training compared to placebo or protein alone 1 2 3 4. For example, a study in young males found that taking 25 g of whey protein plus 4000 IU vitamin D3 either before bed or after waking, combined with resistance training, significantly increased muscle mass and serum vitamin D levels compared to a control group 1 2.
- Sarcopenia in Older Adults: In elderly individuals with sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), supplementation with whey protein, essential amino acids, and vitamin D, along with exercise, resulted in increased fat-free mass, improved strength, better functionality, and reduced inflammation 3. Another study using a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein supplement showed similar benefits for muscle mass and strength in older adults 4.
Potential Mechanisms
- Synergistic Effects: Vitamin D is known to play a role in muscle function and protein synthesis, while whey protein provides high-quality amino acids necessary for muscle building. The combination may have a synergistic effect, especially when paired with resistance exercise 1 3 4.
- Bioavailability: Some research has explored whether complexing vitamin D with whey proteins could enhance its bioavailability. However, studies in animal models suggest that complexing vitamin D3 with whey protein does not significantly improve circulating vitamin D metabolites or bone outcomes compared to vitamin D alone 5.
Summary Table
| Context | Effect of Whey + Vitamin D Supplementation |
| Young adults (with exercise) | Increased muscle mass and serum vitamin D vs. control 1 2 |
| Elderly with sarcopenia | Improved fat-free mass, strength, and quality of life 3 4 |
| Bioavailability studies | No clear enhancement from complexing with whey protein 5 |
Conclusion
There is a clear association between whey protein and vitamin D in the context of supplementation for muscle health. Their combined use, particularly alongside resistance training, has been shown to improve muscle mass, strength, and related outcomes in both young and older adults. However, complexing vitamin D with whey protein does not appear to significantly increase its bioavailability over vitamin D supplementation alone 5. The benefits are most pronounced when both are used as part of a comprehensive nutritional and exercise regimen 1 2 3 4.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9183069/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35684089/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522065698
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525861015003886
- https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/fo/d1fo03645a
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/10/1448
- https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/7/1524
VitaminDWiki - Sarcopenia (muscle loss) fought by Vitamin D, exercise and protein - many studies
VitaminDWiki - Protein, muscles, bones and Vitamin D - many studies
50+ Evidence-Based Benefits of Whey Protein - June 2025
| Metabolic & Weight Management | |
| Promotes fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass | Clinical studies show whey supplementation increases fat loss and spares muscle tissue in obese subjects¹ |
| Enhances satiety and reduces appetite | Whey proteins regulate food intake through hormonal signaling pathways² |
| Improves insulin sensitivity | Regular whey consumption enhances glucose metabolism and insulin response³ |
| Supports healthy weight management | Multiple studies demonstrate whey's anti-obesity effects through various mechanisms⁴ |
| Regulates blood glucose in Type 2 diabetes | Whey supplementation helps stabilize blood sugar levels⁵ |
| Athletic Performance & Recovery | |
| Improves athletic performance | Enhanced exercise capacity and endurance documented across multiple studies⁶ |
| Enhances muscle mass and strength | Proven anabolic effects when combined with resistance training⁷ |
| Accelerates muscle recovery post-exercise | Reduces exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness⁸ |
| Reduces sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) | Particularly beneficial for older adults maintaining muscle mass⁹ |
| Improves muscle recovery and reduces soreness | Anti-inflammatory effects support faster recovery¹⁰ |
| Cardiovascular Health | |
| Lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients | ACE-inhibitory peptides naturally reduce blood pressure¹¹ |
| Improves lipid profiles (HDL/LDL ratios) | Beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism¹² |
| Reduces LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio | Supports optimal cardiovascular risk profiles¹³ |
| Improves vascular endothelial function | Enhances blood vessel health and function¹⁴ |
| Provides cardioprotective effects | Multiple mechanisms support heart health¹⁵ |
| Immune System Support | |
| Modulates immune response | Balances immune function without overstimulation¹⁶ |
| Increases CD4 cell counts in HIV patients | Supports immune system in immunocompromised individuals¹⁷ |
| Enhances recovery in COPD patients | Improves quality of life in chronic respiratory conditions¹⁸ |
| Reduces childhood asthma severity | Anti-inflammatory effects benefit respiratory health¹⁹ |
| Improves outcomes in childhood infections | Supports immune function during illness²⁰ |
| Antioxidant & Cellular Protection | |
| Mitigates oxidative stress | Powerful antioxidant effects protect cells from damage²¹ |
| Boosts glutathione levels | Increases the body's master antioxidant significantly²² |
| Reduces HIV-associated oxidative stress | Specific benefits for oxidative damage in HIV²³ |
| Fights oxidative DNA damage | Protects genetic material from free radical damage²⁴ |
| Protects against drug-induced liver and kidney toxicity | Hepatoprotective and renoprotective effects²⁵ |
| Cancer Prevention & Treatment Support | |
| Suppresses tumor proliferation in breast cancer | Multiple studies show anti-cancer effects²⁶ |
| Acts as chemopreventive agent in colon cancer | Reduces cancer risk through various mechanisms²⁷ |
| Supports cancer cachexia treatment | Helps maintain muscle mass during cancer treatment²⁸ |
| Enhances chemotherapy effectiveness without increasing toxicity | Synergistic effects with conventional treatment²⁹ |
| Reduces depression-like symptoms in cancer patients | Supports mental health during treatment³⁰ |
| Neurological & Cognitive Health | |
| Improves outcomes in Alzheimer's disease models | Neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative conditions³¹ |
| Helps manage symptoms of ALS | Supports neurological function in motor neuron disease³² |
| Boosts neuroprotection in aging brain | Protects against age-related cognitive decline³³ |
| Enhances cognitive function | Improves memory and cognitive performance³⁴ |
| Provides antidepressive effects | Supports mental health and mood regulation³⁵ |
| Gastrointestinal Health | |
| Supports gastrointestinal barrier integrity | Maintains healthy gut lining³⁶ |
| Alleviates inflammation in gastrointestinal tract | Anti-inflammatory effects benefit digestive health³⁷ |
| Reduces diarrhea in rotavirus infection | Specific benefits for infectious diarrhea³⁸ |
| Improves outcomes in Clostridium difficile infections | Supports recovery from serious intestinal infections³⁹ |
| Suppresses Candida albicans overgrowth | Antifungal properties maintain gut balance⁴⁰ |
| Respiratory Health | |
| Reduces symptoms of hayfever | Anti-allergic effects benefit seasonal allergies⁴¹ |
| Alleviates symptoms of atopic dermatitis | Anti-inflammatory effects improve skin conditions⁴² |
| Mitigates symptoms of cystic fibrosis | Improves nutritional status and reduces inflammation⁴³ |
| Liver & Detoxification Support | |
| Improves liver function in diabetes and toxicity | Hepatoprotective effects support liver health⁴⁴ |
| Protects against alcohol-induced gastric ulcers | Gastroprotective properties⁴⁵ |
| Mitigates alcohol toxicity via antioxidant action | Protects against alcohol-related damage⁴⁶ |
| Bone & Joint Health | |
| Supports bone health and prevents osteoporosis | Especially beneficial in post-menopausal women⁴⁷ |
| Enhances wound healing | Accelerates tissue repair and regeneration⁴⁸ |
| Reduces inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-alpha) | Systemic anti-inflammatory effects⁴⁹ |
| Nutritional Status | |
| Boosts vitamin B12 and folate status | Improves micronutrient absorption and status⁵⁰ |
| Improves symptoms of metabolic syndrome | Addresses multiple components of metabolic dysfunction⁵¹ |
| Enhances bioavailability of other nutrients | Synergistic effects with vitamins and minerals⁵² |
Relative benefits of different forms of protein to fight Sarcopenia (clipped from Perplexity AI)
| Whey Protein | Superior muscle protein synthesis stimulation, fast absorption, high leucine content, but most effective when combined with exercise |
| Complete Milk Protein | Balanced whey/casein combination, proven increases in muscle mass, sustained amino acid availability |
| Egg Protein | Complete amino acid profile, high digestibility, additional nutrients, cost-effective and versatile |
| Fish Protein | High-quality protein plus anti-inflammatory compounds, omega-3 fatty acids, functional food properties |
| Lean Meats (Beef/Poultry) | Excellent amino acid profiles, high leucine content, readily available, but requires proper preparation |
| Casein Protein | Sustained amino acid release, lower acute response than whey, potential for overnight muscle maintenance |
| Soy Protein | Best plant-based complete protein, but requires higher doses than animal proteins for equivalent effects |
Perplexity AI report - PDF
Founder of VitaminDWiki uses a plant-based complete protein