Slash high blood pressure...with a milkshake?!

Dear Reader, Whey protein shakes are something of a secret weapon of mine. They can be a real ace up your sleeve when you're trying to lose weight. I'm always recommending them as a hunger-busting meal replacement or just for an extra boost of protein during your day. But that's not all whey is good for. Just take a look at the results of this recent study... Researchers from Florida State University assigned 33 obese and sedentary young women to three different groups for four weeks. One group took 30 grams of casein daily. Another took 30 grams of whey daily. And a third served as control. All the women received exercise training three times a week. But by the end of the study, there was one incredible difference in the results. The groups supplementing with milk proteins (casein and whey) enjoyed significantimprovements in blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Researchers think it was due to a boost in nitric oxide--the compound responsible for relaxing and widening blood vessels. Whatever the cause, that's a pretty major benefit right there. Lifesaving, really. And it didn't take much to achieve. These results came from roughly the same dose you'll find in your average protein shake, in fact. This study looked at both whey and casein. But I usually advise sticking with whey, since it's less likely to trigger allergic reactions in milk-sensitive people. I also recommend choosing a whey protein shake mix carefully. Many of them contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, which can cancel out any benefits completely. Your whey protein shake also shouldn't contain more than 8 grams total of carbohydrates per serving. My WheyLogic shake mix meets these criteria. (And it's delicious, too.) But any brand that fits the bill is fine. Mix it up with plain water--or add some ice for a decadent, yet healthy "milkshake." And try adding a tablespoon of macadamia nut oil for a monounsaturated fatty acid boost-and extra hunger control.