Whey - benefits and harm to the body, properties and characteristics

What is whey

This is a by-product of milk processing - when sour milk is heated, it is divided under the influence of temperature into a liquid fraction (whey) and lumps of coagulated protein (cottage cheese). Usually the whey is light yellowish or cloudy white, sweetish-sour. The shade of taste depends on how the whey was produced - when making soft cheese or cottage cheese, the whey is sour, when making hard cheese it is rather sweet.

90% of liquid whey is water, and the remaining 10% contains a huge amount of useful substances. There is also dry whey - a powder without excess liquid, a source of useful substances (you can add it to dishes, use it in cosmetics, dilute it with water and get liquid whey). The product contains:

calcium, potassium, phosphorus;
glucose, lactose;
biotin, tocopherol, beta-carotene, choline;
iron, sodium, magnesium;
citric, lactic, nucleic acid;
vitamins B, C;
amino acids, fatty acids.

healing serums

Category: Infectious Disease Nursing/Infectious Disease Management

The use of immune sera in the treatment of infectious diseases was associated with the discovery in 1884 of the causative agents of diphtheria and tetanus and, in connection with this, the introduction into medical practice of anti-diphtheria and anti-tetanus sera

Serums are obtained from animal blood.

Antibody-rich serums can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

Depending on what animals are immunized with - microbes or toxins - they distinguish between antimicrobial and antitoxic serums

Serums are produced in purified and concentrated form, which allows you to reduce the volume of administered serum and avoid a number of side effects

Serums are used only after testing for sterility and harmlessness in animal experiments.

Antitoxic serums are dosed in international antitoxic units (IU), antimicrobial - in milliliters.

Serums are produced in ampoules or vials. Each ampoule must have a label indicating the institute that produced the serum, the name of the drug, batch and state control numbers, the amount of serum in the ampoule, the number of antitoxic or international units in 1 ml, and the expiration date.

Serums should be stored in a dry, dark place at a temperature of 2-10°C. Instructions for its use are included in the box with the drug.

Serums should be clear or slightly opalescent in appearance.

. The color of the serums is pale yellow or golden. Serums that are cloudy, have a sediment that does not break up when shaken, or have flakes are not suitable for use.

Before administration, the serum must be checked for expiration date, appearance, integrity of the ampoule, dose, then heated to 37-38°C

Scheme of serum administration:

I dose - 0.1 ml of diluted serum 1:100 (ampule with red marking) is injected intradermally into the middle third of the inner surface of the forearm.

II dose - 0.1 ml of whole serum (ampule with blue marking) is injected subcutaneously into the shoulder.

III - dose full dose of serum, administered intramuscularly.

Intervals between administrations are 30 minutes

. If intradermal injection produces a papule measuring up to 0.9 cm, the test is considered negative and you can continue with the injection of serum.

For larger papules, serum administration continues under the guidance of a physician.

After administration of the entire dose of serum, the patient is observed for at least 1 hour.

Gamma globulins

—
protein fraction of blood serum that performs the function of antibodies
.

They are recommended to be prescribed together with antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs. This significantly improves the treatment effect.

It is advisable to administer gamma globulins in the absence of specific antibodies (normal human immunoglobulin) in them; they have a stimulating effect on metabolic and immune processes

Gamma globulins can also have a specific action: anti-leptospirosis, measles, influenza. Large doses of gamma globulins are administered according to the scheme Without frequent intervals - fractionally

See treatment of infectious diseases

Saenko I. A.

Sources:

Shuvalova E. P. Infectious diseases: Textbook. - 2nd ed., revised. and additional - M.: Medicine, 1982.
Belousova A.K., Dunaytseva V.N. Nursing in infectious diseases with a course in HIV infection and epidemiology. Series 'Secondary vocational education'. Rostov n/d: Phoenix, 2004.
Pokrovsky V. I., Bulkina I. G. Infectious diseases with patient care and basics of epidemiology. — 6th ed., revised. and additional - M.: Medicine, 1985.

What are the benefits of fermented whey for the body?

Nutrition experts emphasize that in order for fermented whey to have a pronounced effect on the body, it must be included in a regular diet. Regular consumption of this beneficial liquid will help:

improve blood circulation, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, normalize blood pressure;
strengthen the immune system;
have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, neutralize the unpleasant symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, colitis and gastritis, improve metabolism and intestinal function;
cope with chronic fatigue, prolonged stress, insomnia;
improve the condition of the genitourinary system;
strengthen hair follicles and improve skin health.

Whey is also used to feed plants - it is a valuable fertilizer that helps prevent fungal diseases. Its ability to suppress the proliferation of yeast is also used by women to get rid of thrush and other gynecological diseases. In addition, thanks to the consumption of whey, the synthesis of serotonin increases, and it is this hormone that is responsible for a good mood - this property of the dairy product can be used for seasonal depression, stress, and adaptation to new conditions.

Properties of cow's milk whey

This product is very rich in B vitamins, therefore it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Cow's milk whey reduces gas formation and helps restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Due to its rich composition, it is often used in the production of baby food.

Benefits of goat whey

This product is rich in antioxidants, so it has an anti-aging effect. Goat whey contains many amino acids and a vital element for the body - cobalt, which is involved in hematopoiesis, enzymatic reactions, liver and nervous system functions.

Whey powder

This product is a powder made from natural raw materials - that is, regular liquid whey. Essentially, the dry powder retains the beneficial components while the excess water (which makes up 90% of the liquid whey) is removed. The powder can be added to food, drinks, and athletes use it as a nutritional source when building muscle mass. It is whey powder that is included in dry infant formulas, which are easily absorbed by the child’s body and provide him with complete nutrition. Fermented whey powder:

nutritious, quickly satisfies the feeling of hunger, it can be consumed during dieting and active sports;
healthy, rich in vitamins and minerals, it can be consumed during pregnancy;
suitable for daily use (in the absence of contraindications, the serum does not cause any harm in reasonable dosages).

Whey powder is recommended to be included in the menu for people suffering from hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart disease, pulmonary failure, and anemia. It will be useful for gastrointestinal microflora disorders, prolonged stress, overwork, and regular mental stress.

The nutritional value

Whey is the lowest calorie dairy product. 100 g of whey contains only 21 kcal (112 kJ), so it is especially useful in diets. Whey removes excess fluid from the body, promoting optimal elimination of waste and toxins, as well as weight loss. Whey is a source of natural proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids, mineral salts and trace elements - including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins B, A, E, PP, C. The content of free amino acids in whey is 10 times higher than in milk.

Is whey good for children?

Let us remind you that whey is used in the production of baby food, and the ingredients for baby food undergo careful selection and strict control. Considering the rich composition and positive effect of whey on the body, we can say - yes, within acceptable limits, fermented milk whey is useful for children. Of course, if the child does not have an allergy to dairy products or individual intolerance. It is recommended to give children no more than 300 ml of whey per day.

The effect of whey on the child’s body:

enriches with vitamins and minerals;
strengthens the immune system;
improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
ensures healthy development of the cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems.

The taste of whey can be called specific; not all children like it. If a child refuses to drink such a healthy product, you can mix it with other ingredients and make the taste of the whey less pronounced or even unnoticeable - for example, you can prepare berry cocktails, fruit jelly or jelly based on it. The easiest way is to mix the “secret” milk ingredient with the juice that the child loves and drinks with pleasure.

If a woman has no contraindications, then whey will be useful to include in the diet. This product will help improve the functioning of the digestive system, strengthen the immune system, provide the body with energy and contribute to the proper formation of the child’s skeleton (remember, whey is rich in calcium and other useful substances).

Whey for weight loss

The calorie content of the drink is low - approximately 20 kcal per 100 ml of liquid. At the same time, the drink is very nutritious and helps replenish energy. Whey can be included in your diet both for those who are losing weight and for those who are actively involved in sports and strive to build muscle mass - the nutritious milk liquid will help achieve the goal. Whey will help those losing weight:

normalize metabolism, and this, in turn, will help you lose excess weight faster;
maintain normal muscle mass (thanks to the amino acids included in the product);
organize a healthy and low-calorie snack (a glass of whey contains only about 40 kcal).

To improve the taste, you can add any spices or herbs to the drink, mix it with vegetable or fruit juice, berry puree, or honey. Those who are on a diet are recommended to drink a glass of a healthy drink half an hour before eating - this will help normalize the gastrointestinal tract, improve metabolism, fill the body with useful and nutritious substances, and reduce the size of the subsequent portion of food (after a glass of whey you will want to eat less).

Use of whey in cosmetology

Cheese and curd whey are actively used in cosmetology, used as an external remedy - it helps improve the condition of the skin and hair.

For facial skin

You can use the serum as an independent product, a component of nourishing masks, or add it to creams.

Independent cosmetic product: heat the liquid to 36–37 °C, moisten a cotton pad and wipe the skin. After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.
Masks: add whey to homemade masks instead of water, mix dry whey with other nutritional ingredients - egg white, honey, clay.
Ready-made cream: add a little serum to a portion of the cream immediately before use to enrich its composition.

If there is irritation and inflammation on the skin, you can treat it with fermented milk whey in its pure form or add it to various creams and ointments (it is more convenient to use powder for these purposes).

For skin problems, not only external but also internal use of serum is useful. This product suppresses the activity of yeast fungi, improves microflora in the body, promotes the healing of inflammation and irritation, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. This affects not only the internal organs, but also the skin.

For hair

Whey has a positive effect on the health of the scalp and can get rid of dandruff; it also makes hair more manageable and voluminous, and gives it shine. The simplest hair mask with this ingredient is simply fermented milk whey heated to 37–40 °C. The liquid is distributed over the entire length of clean hair, rubbed into the scalp, and covered with plastic wrap or a towel to achieve a sauna effect. After 20–30 minutes, the mask can be washed off; the recommended frequency of use is once a week.

Hair masks can be made multi-component by adding herbal infusions, nourishing oils or vitamins in liquid form to the milk whey.

Harm and contraindications

An absolute contraindication to the use of fermented whey is immunity to milk protein, individual intolerance. In other cases, fresh and high-quality whey will only bring benefits if consumed in moderation (0.5-1 liter per day).

Whey has a mild laxative effect, so if consumed in large quantities, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. Serum that has expired or was stored incorrectly can be harmful - if you consume such a product, you can get seriously poisoned. It is recommended to store liquid homemade whey for no more than 5 days, store-bought - no more than 2-3 days from the moment the bottle is opened, if the expiration date is normal. From a storage point of view, it is more convenient to use dry whey - it can be stored longer (up to 12 months), and a healthy drink can be made from it at any time.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

Whey proteins are used by our body to regenerate liver proteins, form hemoglobin and blood plasma, helping with hypertension, improving blood circulation and preventing the development of atherosclerosis. Whey also improves kidney function and normalizes liver function. Lactic acid in whey inhibits the development of putrefactive intestinal microflora, which limits fermentation processes and normalizes the vital activity of beneficial intestinal microflora, reducing the risk of developing serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps prevent stress. This is an excellent immunostimulant.

The whey perfectly satisfies hunger, so it can be used as an effective natural remedy for weight loss and the basis of various diets. Energy substances and various mineral salts complement the palette of whey components, which allows the body to function normally with any diet.

The serum is used as a natural cosmetic product: it perfectly cleanses the skin, giving it freshness and elasticity, and also helps strengthen the hair, making it more shiny and healthy.