Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Milk protein, particularly in the form of whey and casein, has some scientific support for use as a supportive nutritional intervention during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can lead to malnutrition, muscle wasting, and immune suppression. Milk proteins are high-quality sources of essential amino acids, notably leucine, which are important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting immune function. Several clinical studies and reviews (e.g., Prado et al., 2012; Arends et al., 2017) suggest that oral nutritional supplements containing milk protein can help cancer patients maintain body weight, muscle mass, and better tolerate chemotherapy. Additionally, specific milk-derived components such as lactoferrin and immunoglobulins have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, although clinical evidence for their direct role in reducing chemotherapy side effects is still limited and mixed.

Despite promising findings, the evidence is not uniformly robust across all cancer types and patient populations. Therefore, guidelines from organizations such as the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) recommend protein supplementation for cancer patients at risk of malnutrition, which may include milk proteins. However, milk protein is generally used as part of comprehensive nutritional support rather than as a standalone treatment for chemotherapy side effects. In summary, while there is scientific support for the use of milk protein in reducing certain side effects of chemotherapy—primarily malnutrition and muscle wasting—the evidence is moderate rather than definitive.

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