Effect of Supplementation of a Whey Peptide Rich in Tryptophan-Tyrosine-Related Peptides on Cognitive Performance in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Background: Previous epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that dairy products have beneficial effects on cognitive decline and dementia. Enzymatic digestion of whey protein produces a whey peptide rich in tryptophan-tyrosine-related peptides which improve cognitive performance in mice. We evaluated the effects of whey peptides on cognitive functions in healthy adults in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Methods: 101 healthy adults (45 to 64 years), with a self-awareness of cognitive decline received either whey peptide or placebo supplements for 12 weeks. Changes in cognitive function were assessed using neuropsychological tests at 6 and 12 weeks after the start of supplementation. Results: Verbal fluency test (VFT) score changes tended to be higher in the whey peptide group compared with the placebo at 12 weeks. Subgroup analysis classified by the degree of subjective fatigue showed that changes in the VFT as well as the Stroop and subjective memory function tests between baseline and 6 weeks of intervention were significantly better in subjects with high-level fatigue from the whey peptide group as compared to the placebo group. Conclusions: Intake of whey peptide might improve cognitive function in healthy middle- and older-aged adults with high subjective fatigue levels. Further studies will elucidate the relationship among cognitive improvement, whey peptides, and psychological fatigue.

β-Lactolin, a Whey-Derived Lacto-Tetrapeptide, Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease Pathologies and Cognitive Decline

“…Accumulating evidence [16,17] indicates that supplementation with whey digestion rich in ␤-lactolin improves memory retrieval and attention. However, the effects of ␤-lactolin on brain inflammation in AD have not been investigated.…”

“…␤-Lactolin has been shown to increase monoamine levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus and improve spatial working memory and attention in pharmacologically induced amnesia mice. Our previous studies showed that supplementation with ␤-lactolin-rich whey peptides improved memory retrieval, attention, and executive function in healthy adults [16,17], and the findings suggest that consumption of ␤-lactolin-rich whey peptides is associated with activation of the frontal cortex, especially the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regulating memory retrieval and executive function. However, the effects of ␤lactolin on dementia and cognitive decline remain unclear.…”

A review of current and future food applications of natural hydrocolloids

“…It has been shown that protein hydrolysates are involved in GLP-1 and CCK hormones, indicating that bioactive peptides might be used to control both food intake and body weight management (Geraedts et al, 2011). Furthermore, whey peptide-rich supplementation might improve cognitive function in adults, suggesting that whey peptides might be beneficial for fatigue in adult subjects (Kita et al, 2018). It has been suggested that milk protein supplementation in healthy man leads to increase bone formation and decrease bone resorption in term of urinary markers (Toba et al, 2001).…”

Whey Protein Concentrate WPC-80 Intensifies Glycoconjugate Catabolism and Induces Oxidative Stress in the Liver of Rats

“…In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in whey [ 1 ]. It is a by-product of cheese production and a rich source of exogenous amino acids and biologically active proteins.…”

“…Other whey peptides include: immunoglobulins, albumins, lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase [ 3 ]. Due to its varied composition, whey is commonly supplemented to emaciated patients (e.g., during convalescence or cancer cachexia), children with cow’s milk protein allergy and sportsmen to increase their muscle mass [ 1 , 4 ]. Whey proteins are also a valuable source of sulphuric amino acids: cysteine and methionine, crucial for the synthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH) [ 5 ].…”