When tube feeding is a primary source of nutrition – whether for you, a loved one or a patient – there’s a lot to consider: nutrient content and quality, digestibility, and how well the body tolerates it, to name a few. One nutrient that plays a key role in good health is protein. This powerhouse nutrient helps the body heal, recover and grow. For those using tube feeding, choosing a whey protein in peptide form is worth considering for its easy digestion and unique benefits in enteral nutrition.
What is Whey?
Whey is one of two proteins found in milk (the other is casein). Both are considered complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. During the cheese-making process, milk separates into solid curds (casein) and liquid whey. While it’s the casein that forms the cheese, whey is the watery byproduct that’s either discarded or saved for other uses. (Think: “casein/curds” and “whey/watery”.)
Casein is slower to digest because it tends to curdle when it reaches the acidic environment of the stomach. This can help with feeling full, but for some people, it can also cause gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort. Whey, on the other hand, passes through the stomach more quickly and its nutrients are absorbed in the small intestines more efficiently. This fast-acting nature of whey makes whey-based peptide formulas a well-tolerated option for tube feeding.
Nutritional Advantages of Whey Protein
Milk proteins, including whey, are considered high-quality proteins – and for good reason! They’re rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), especially leucine, which plays a key role in protecting muscles from wasting away, a condition known as sarcopenia. This is important for everyone, but especially for those who are older or less mobile, since they are most prone to muscle loss.
Whey protein is also a rich source of cysteine and methionine, two amino acids that support the immune system. While supporting the immune system is important year-round, it becomes especially critical when your body needs extra support following an illness or hospital stay.
Why GI Tolerance Matters – and How Whey Helps
One in five home enteral nutrition patients experience some form of gastrointestinal intolerance, such as nausea or reflux. That’s why it’s important to choose a formula that not only provides complete nutrition but is also easy to absorb and digest.
According to published research, whey-based formulas have been shown to reduce the frequency of vomiting and reflux by improving gastric emptying – that is, how quickly food leaves the stomach – which helps ease the burden on the digestive system.
Peptamen® Peptide Formulas Made with Whey
If you’re looking for a tube feeding formula made with whey protein, consider Peptamen®, the only peptide-based tube feeding formula with 100% whey protein, scientifically proven to support tolerance and absorption for those with GI impairment.
Whether you’re on a tube feeding yourself or caring for a tubie child, Peptamen® and Peptamen Junior® offer peptide-based hydrolyzed whey formulas designed for people ages 1 year and older.
Weighing the Options of Whey Formulas
Whey protein is a clinically supported, well-tolerated and effective choice for children and adults on tube feeding. It delivers essential nutrients that support muscle maintenance, wound healing and immune function, all while being easy to digest and absorb.
When it comes to choosing an enteral nutrition formula made with whey, Peptamen® is the only peptide-based formula made with 100% hydrolyzed whey protein. With a full line of formulas, including options with added fiber and prebiotics, concentrated calories, or extra protein, Peptamen® formulas are designed to meet a range of nutritional needs.
Use Peptamen® formulas under medical supervision, and always work with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian nutritionist to choose the formula and feeding regimen that’s best suited to your or your loved one’s individual needs and nutrition goals.