What is the best protein powder for fatty liver?
Written by Jack Schrupp and reviewed by Ella McGonagle, M.S. Nutrition
drink wholesome is the best protein powder for fatty liver. It is additive-free, dairy-free, and made with real foods, not protein isolates – 99% of supplements fail to meet at least one of these criteria. This makes it perfect for people with fatty liver, as well as for people just looking to boost their protein intake without the processing and added junk. Order samples to see if our protein powder is right for you.
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drink wholesome is the best protein powder for fatty liver.
What is fatty liver disease?
Is protein powder bad for fatty liver?
What is the best protein powder for fatty liver?
Why drink wholesome?
What is fatty liver disease?
Fatty liver disease, also known as hepatic steatosis, is a condition characterized by an excess fat within the liver cells. Fat buildup can interfere with the normal functioning of the liver and lead to various health problems.
There are two main types of fatty liver disease: alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
1. Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD): This type of fatty liver develops as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking can overwhelm the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol and fat, leading to the buildup of fat in liver cells.
2. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This is the more common type of fatty liver and is not directly related to alcohol consumption. NAFLD is closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and other conditions that can lead to a buildup of fat in liver cells.
If left untreated, fatty liver can progress to more serious conditions, including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and even liver cancer.
The treatment and management of fatty liver depend on the underlying cause. For alcoholic fatty liver, reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption is crucial. For non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and managing underlying conditions like diabetes are often recommended.
Can protein powder cause fatty liver?
Protein powder will not cause fatty liver. If you do not need the extra protein and calories, using protein powder will make you gain weight, which can trigger the development of fatty liver disease. This is true for any food or beverage, however. If eating or drinking feeds you more calories than you burn, you will gain weight and be more likely to develop fatty liver disease. Thus, protein powder in particular is not the problem. On the contrary, if protein powder is used to increase the percentage of your calories that come from protein, it can help you lose weight, thereby decreasing the risk of fatty liver disease.
Is protein powder bad for fatty liver?
As you just learned, NAFLD can be prevented, and even reversed, by making dietary changes. This is because what you eat not only has a big impact on your waistline, but also your liver health. Healthy eating can help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight and reduce liver fat content.
In theory, losing weight is straightforward; all you have to do is eat fewer calories than you burn. Losing weight is easier said than done, however, because creating a calorie deficit makes you really hungry. Anyone who has tried a serious weight loss diet knows how hard it is not to give into the cravings.
To curb cravings, it is important to prioritize certain macronutrients. Protein happens to be far more satiating (filling) than fats or carbs, so in order to lose weight successfully, you have to eat lots of it. How much protein you need will depend on a number of factors, but as a rule of thumb, you should eat at least 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight. Use our protein intake calculator to calculate how much protein you need.
Another secret to weight loss is building muscle. Individuals with more muscle mass have faster metabolisms (burn more calories) because it takes more energy (calories) to build and maintain muscle than other tissues. In order to build and maintain muscle mass, you have to workout and eat protein. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscles. Without amino acids, and therefore dietary protein, going to the gym would be a total waste of time.
Most people can get more than enough protein from real food. People with dietary restrictions or busy schedules, however, may have a hard time doing so. This is where protein supplements can help. Adding a protein shake to your diet is an easy way to boost your protein intake and make sure that you are a) not too hungry and b) able to build and maintain muscle mass. That said, not all protein supplements are created equal.
What is the best protein powder for fatty liver?
The type dietary protein in your protein supplement does not matter. As long as you are eating a balanced diet, any type of protein can help you boost your protein intake and achieve your wellness goals. The average protein powder is made with added ingredients that are not good for you, however.
Additives like emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, artificial sweeteners, and flavors can cause painful side effects and long-term gut damage. For this reason, you should pick protein powder with a short list of simple ingredients. Continue reading to learn more.
Why drink wholesome?
drink wholesome is additive-free.
One reason why we make the best protein powder for fatty liver is that we do not use food additives. On the flip side, most other protein powders add ingredients to their recipes, which, even in small quantities, can trigger gastrointestinal (GI) side effects like bloating, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Because they look nothing like real food, additives are only partially digested. This sets the stage for one of two scenarios: either your intestines absorb an excessive amount of water, leading to diarrhea, or the additives feed your gut bacteria, which produce gas as they eat. Excess of gas in the gut can cause bloating, flatulence, and abdominal discomfort, and can even result in constipation.
Here is a list of the most common food additives in protein powder:
acacia gum, acesulfame potassium, artificial flavors, aspartame, carrageenan, cellulose gum, dextrin, dextrose, erythritol, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, inulin, locust bean gum, “natural” flavors, maltodextrin, rice syrup solids, soy lecithin, silica, sucralose, sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, xylitol
The real reason to watch out for food additives, however, lies in their long-term effects. The regular consumption of food additives can disturb the regulatory pathways within your intestines, increasing the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and various systemic inflammatory disorders. Moreover, food additives, especially artificial sweeteners, can disrupt the delicate equilibrium of your gut microbiome, which can, in turn, affect your digestion and nutrient absorption.
the alternative:
Protein Matrix Comprised of (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate, Egg Albumen, Glutamine Peptides), Polydextrose, Sunflower Creamer (Sunflower Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols), Natural and Artificial Flavor, MCT Powder (Medium Chain Triglycerides, Nonfat Dry Milk, Disodium Phosphate, Silicon Dioxide), Lecithin, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Yellow 5, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Papain, Bromelain.
drink wholesome is dairy-free.
Another reason why we make the best protein powder for fatty liver is that we do not use dairy-based proteins. Conversely, a significant number of other protein powders use whey and/or casein protein, which are byproducts of the cheese and yogurt manufacturing process. These dairy-based protein sources can cause digestive complications, especially for millions of adults with lactose intolerance. Being lactose-intolerant means you lack the enzymes needed to fully metabolize lactose, the sugar in dairy. As emphasized earlier, the partial breakdown of food can lead to a range of GI side effects.
drink wholesome is made with real foods.
A final reason why we make the best protein powder for fatty liver is that we use real food protein sources, not protein concentrates or isolates. The overwhelming majority of other protein powders utilize one or both of these protein sources, which are foods stripped down to nothing but their protein content. Instead of being referred to as “peas” or “whey,” they are called “pea protein” or “whey protein.”
Making protein concentrates and isolates involves significant mechanical and chemical processing. In certain instances, chemical solvents such as hexane are employed to extract protein from its natural source. Consequently, what finds its way into your protein shake bears little resemblance to real food.
Your digestive system is meant to process minimally-processed or unprocessed real foods, not artificial or heavily-processed imitations. Eating anything other than food can cause problems. While the long-term effects of consuming processed ingredients like protein isolates are still under scrutiny, emerging research suggests they can disrupt the gut microbiome.
Apart from its role in digestion, the gut functions as a safeguard against harmful pathogens, contributes to the education of the immune system, and influences various physiological functions. Imbalances within the gut microbiome have thus been closely linked to the emergence of numerous chronic diseases. Considering this connection, I strongly advise against the consumption of protein powders made with protein concentrates and isolates.
Instead of using protein concentrates or isolates, we make the best protein powder for fatty liver with egg whites and almonds. The transformation of egg whites into protein powder involves pasteurization and drying. Almonds are just roasted, pressed (to remove oil), and ground. These minimally-processed ingredients made for protein powders that the body can easily digest. Moreover, unlike protein isolates and concentrates, real food ingredients like these contain enzymes and other natural digestive aids that promote digestion.
For those with allergies or sensitivities to eggs, egg white protein is the most gut-friendly option. With their low levels of fiber and FODMAPs, coupled with their alkalinity, egg whites are exceptionally easy to digest. Our happy clientele reports experiencing fewer digestive issues with our egg white protein powder than with any other type of protein supplement.
For individuals who cannot eat eggs, our vegan almond protein powder is a great substitute. Almonds have prebiotic properties, meaning they nurture the diversity of the gut microbiome. They also foster regular and healthy bowel movements.
In summary, our protein powders undergo minimal processing to prioritize your gut and overall health.
“I was looking for a protein powder for liver disease, and found Drink Wholesome on Google. I really like the taste and how it makes me feel. Compared to other protein powders, it’s not nearly as sweet. It’s also much less grainy that some of the vegan ones I tried.” – Colin
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drink wholesome is the best protein powder for fatty liver.
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. drink wholesome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.