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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
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Whey Protein and Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect4 studies · 1 beneficial · 3 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies, 1 reported a beneficial small effect of whey protein on reducing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), while 3 found neutral results. The single positive study (25 g/day for 90 days) reached statistical significance in older adults, but the overall evidence base is limited and inconsistent. Effects were predominantly neutral, with no clear convergence on dose or population given the mixed findings.

  • Studied populations: elderly adults (65+ years), hemodialysis patients, adolescents with sarcopenia/pre-frailty, adolescent athletes

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. The only beneficial finding was in older adults, while neutral results were seen in other clinical and athletic populations, suggesting the effect may be population-specific. No form data were extracted, limiting comparability across 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 4 studies
4 of 4 papers
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