Whey Protein and Increased Interleukin-10 Levels

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, whey protein supplementation showed predominantly small beneficial effects on increasing interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels, with 2 of 3 studies reporting statistically significant improvements. The median study duration was 90 days, suggesting effects typically emerge after 8–16 weeks. The most-studied dose was approximately 20–25 g/day, and effects were observed in both clinical (hemodialysis patients) and elderly populations.

Effective dose range: 20-25 g/day
Studied populations: hemodialysis (HD) patients, older adults (elderly)

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One study (2024) reported a decrease in IL-10 after whey supplementation, which is directionally contradictory to the beneficial effect seen in the 2026 elderly trial; this inconsistency may relate to population differences (hemodialysis patients vs. healthy older adults). The neutral finding in adolescent athletes (2026) further suggests effects may vary by population. Publication bias cannot be ruled out given the limited number of studies.

Generated Jul 12, 2026

Doses used in studies

g/day: 20–25 (median 22.5, IQR 21.25–23.75) — 2 studies

Time to effect

Median: 3 months · IQR 10.4 weeks–3.4 months · Range 8 weeks–3.7 months — Reported in 3 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Whey Protein, Vitamins C and E Decrease Interleukin-10 in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Pioneer, Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Trial.
- 2024-01
- RCT
- Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation 34(1)
- - Angela Teodósio da Silva
  - Roberta Pieri Machado
  - Mayara Lopes Martins
  - Luís Eduardo Gomes Dorneles
  - Eduardo Monguilhott Dalmarco
  - Edson Luiz da Silva
  - Patrícia de Fragas Hinnig
  - Elisabeth Wazlawik
- PubMed: 37598813
- DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2023.08.007
5 Insights on
- Increased Interleukin-10 Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
In the intragroup was a decrease in IL-10 in the supplementation group after 8 weeks (P = .0382).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
600 IU
Whey Protein Supplementation Positively Modulates Lung Function and Pulmonary and Systemic Immune Response in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
- 2026-01-29
- RCT
- Journal of the American Nutrition Association 45(5)
- - Meiry Souza Moura-Maia
  - Rosa Helena Ramos Paula-Vieira
  - Nycole Vieira Ramos-Gomes
  - Dobroslav Melamed
  - Anamei Silva-Reis
  - Eduarda Teodora Rachid Wolpp
  - Naiara Nadia Moreira-Silva
  - Wany Soares Fagundes de Carvalho
  - Antonio Herbert Lancha Junior
  - Yanesko Fernandes Bella
  - Regiane Albertini
  - Alberto Souza de Sá Filho
  - Rodolfo P Vieira
- PubMed: 41609728
- DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2026.2615981
12 Insights on
- Increased Interleukin-10 Levels
- High evidence
- Elderly
increased levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10 (p < 0.00005)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
25 g/day; 7 days/week; 3 months
Greek Yogurt Compared with Whey Protein Supplementation in Adolescent Athletes Throughout a Competitive Season.
- 2026-06
- RCT · n = 24
- The Journal of nutrition 156(6)
- - Madison Bell
  - Pedro Henrique Narciso
  - Ethan Miskolczi
  - Maria I Retsidou
  - Brian D Roy
  - Andrea R Josse
  - Bareket Falk
  - Panagiota Klentrou
- PubMed: 41941960
- DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101524
17 Insights on
- Increased Interleukin-10 Levels
- High evidence
- Athletes
IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor α increased during the control period and decreased with WP only in females.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
isonitrogenous WP supplement

Whey Protein and Increased Interleukin-10 Levels

Whey Protein, Vitamins C and E Decrease Interleukin-10 in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Pioneer, Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Trial.

Whey Protein Supplementation Positively Modulates Lung Function and Pulmonary and Systemic Immune Response in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Greek Yogurt Compared with Whey Protein Supplementation in Adolescent Athletes Throughout a Competitive Season.