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Applications and Trends of Whey Protein in Sports Nutrition
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Xiaodong HAN1, Jiajin LYU1, Yifeng XING2, 3, Pengjie WANG4, Xujin YANG2, 3, *
China Dairy | 2026, (5) : 135 - 142
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China Dairy | 2026, (5): 135-142
DAIRY INDUSTRY
Applications and Trends of Whey Protein in Sports Nutrition
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Xiaodong HAN1, Jiajin LYU1, Yifeng XING2, 3, Pengjie WANG4, Xujin YANG2, 3, *
Affiliations
  • 1.College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
  • 2.College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
  • 3.Yang Xujin Innovation Studio, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
  • 4.Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193
Published: 2026-05-25 doi: 10.12377/1671-4393.26.05.19
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Whey protein, characterized by a high branched-chain amino acid content, rapid gastrointestinal absorption, and multiple bioactive components, represents one of the most extensively studied protein sources in sports nutrition. This review systematically examined the molecular mechanisms, clinical evidence, and emerging research directions of whey protein in the context of sports nutrition. At the mechanistic level, whey protein stimulates muscle protein synthesis primarily through activation of the mTOR signaling pathway, attenuates central fatigue via modulation of the tryptophan-serotonin axis, and reinforces post-exercise immune function through the concerted actions of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. Clinically, accumulating evidence supports its efficacy in promoting resistance training-induced hypertrophy, accelerating endurance recovery, facilitating body composition management, and sustaining immune homeostasis during intensive training. Recent advances include co-formulation with collagen to simultaneously target myofibrillar and connective tissue protein synthesis, nano-encapsulation for enhanced bioavailability, and genotype-informed supplementation strategies based on polymorphisms such as ACTN3. Concurrently, membrane filtration and precision fermentation technologies are expanding the sustainable production of functional whey proteins. As multi-omics profiling and artificial intelligence converge with nutritional science, individualized whey protein protocols calibrated to genotype, metabolic phenotype, and training load are becoming increasingly feasible.

whey protein  /  sports nutrition  /  mTOR signaling pathway  /  branched-chain amino acid  /  personalized nutrition
Xiaodong HAN, Jiajin LYU, Yifeng XING, Pengjie WANG, Xujin YANG. Applications and Trends of Whey Protein in Sports Nutrition[J]. China Dairy, 2026 , (5) : 135 -142 . DOI: 10.12377/1671-4393.26.05.19
Year 2026 volume Issue 5
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doi: 10.12377/1671-4393.26.05.19
  • Online Date:2026-08-20
  • Published:2026-05-25
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    1.College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
    2.College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
    3.Yang Xujin Innovation Studio, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot Inner Mongolia 010018
    4.Department of Nutrition and Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193
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https://castjournals.cast.org.cn/joweb/zgry/EN/10.12377/1671-4393.26.05.19
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表12种不同金属材料的力学参数

Family
属数
Number of
genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of
total species (%)

Genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of total
species (%)
鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
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