Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lactoglobulin is a major whey protein found in cow's milk. There is some scientific interest in its potential role in supporting mood and treating depression, primarily due to its high content of the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood. Several small-scale clinical studies have investigated the use of whey protein (which contains lactoglobulin) to potentially increase brain tryptophan levels, particularly in comparison to other proteins that are lower in tryptophan.

A few studies have shown that consumption of alpha-lactalbumin (a whey protein fraction rich in tryptophan and often containing lactoglobulin) can increase the plasma ratio of tryptophan to other large neutral amino acids, which may enhance serotonin synthesis in the brain. In some experiments, this has been associated with improved mood and cognitive performance under stress, particularly in individuals susceptible to stress or with a history of depression. However, these studies are generally small, short-term, and sometimes use specific protein isolates or enriched fractions rather than mixed lactoglobulin.

There is currently no robust clinical evidence that lactoglobulin, as an isolated supplement, is effective as a treatment for depression. The evidence base is preliminary and warrants further research. Therefore, while there is a rational biochemical basis and some early human data, the overall level of scientific evidence is limited (rated 2 out of 5).

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