Whey Protein Powder?

[0608]

Hello, guys.  I'm + and enjoy (well, on most days) working out.  I'd used whey protein powder to gain muscle before I found out I'm positive.  And I was hoping to be able to use it again, but I wanted to get some feedback from other +s.

Mainly, I just wanted to check that the whey powder won't interfere with drug therapy or increase side effects and damage the body in some way that I'm not aware of right now.  Thanks for your opinions!

[Common_ground]

Hey 0608, I take Optimum Nutrition Whey 100%. Dont know what your diet looks like but too much protein can have an impact on your kidneys some studies have shown. A scoop or two after working out shouldnt be a problem thou. I make sure I drink plenty of water to keep the renal function going.
Do you check your kidneys just as with CD4 and VL?

[0608]

Hi, Common_ground.  Thank you for the tip.  I actually haven't started my lab work yet (will do later this month), so I wasn't aware of the kidney checks.  I'll definitely be asking my doctor about that.

When you talk about the protein's impact on kidneys, were you talking in general or specifically about us pozzies?  Also, could I ask how often you take whey when you're working out?  I work out 3-5 times a week, and I was planning to take one scoop on each workout day. (My diet is average protein-wise, aside from the whey powder).

[jkinatl2]

Eating a lot of protein puts a strain on anyone's kidneys.

People taking meds that already strain the kidneys might get to a dangerous level sooner than the average bear.

I use a scoop of protein powder once a day for post-workout shake, and also tend to lean towards a fairly robust protein diet. I'm on Isentress, Prezista, Norvir and Truvada and kidney/liver functions remain normal, even when I load that protein shake up with rum because, well, friday.

[Ann]

I actually haven't started my lab work yet (will do later this month), so I wasn't aware of the kidney checks.  I'll definitely be asking my doctor about that.

You may find it helpful to read through the The Blood Tests You'll Need section of our Lessons before you see your doctor. Most doctors will already be on top of what labs you need to have done, but it never hurts for you to make sure he's running all the right ones. Doctors forget things sometimes, just like anyone.

You should also be checked for all other STIs, including (but not limited to) hep B and hep C. These are tests that you won't need every time, but they should be done at least once or twice a year, depending on how sexually active you are. They absolutely should be done at the beginning of your diagnosis, regardless of how active you are.

Make sure you also read through some of the other Lessons too. They're all written in easy-to-understand English so they're easy to digest. Feel free to come back into the forums to ask any questions that may arise while you read.

As others have said, the protein powder shouldn't be a problem. Just don't overdo it (and it sounds like you won't). Something to keep in mind - all things in moderation, including moderation!

Ann

[donyork1]

Hi I tested poz 1 year ago July 26 cd4 was 69 and VL was 92,000 My weight had dropped from 192 down to 168 My doctor is head of the infectious disease dept at Hershey Medical Center...I started on whey protein Isolate 28. Do the research on whey, this has 28 grams per 8 oz glass or water plus loaded with amino acids..I needed the protein 2 glasses a day to get my weight back up, after it reached 190 I dropped back to 1 glass a day in morning...Now I started triathlon training for the ironman in Hawaii 2014 and I need the protein for muscle repair..again my doctor is fine with the extra amount of protein because the muscles need the protein for repair after workouts..Again in moderation..For my weight I need approx 85 grams of protein a day normally without working out..simple calculation take weight, div in half, than deduct 10 and that's the approx amount of protein u need normally.  Hope this helps. 

[Valmont]

I have a similar problem, I´ve always been thin (165 lbs for 1,87 m), but since I´ve started med, I notice I´m loosing weight (5 to 7 lbs), I tried to take Ensure (Abbott) but including small dosing make me having diarreas.

I also feel weaker, it really bothers me...  I´m playing Rugby, but that way, they´re going to put me in 3 pieces very soon......  I don´t know what to do to increase muscle weight (well I had this problem also before havinh HIV)...

[Esquare]

I've consumed 2-3 scoops per day of whey protein for the past two years and I also consume a few servings of creatine per week to assist with my workouts. My t-cells went up around 100 or so and have remained within this time period. i have no idea if its a coincidence or what but that's the case. I have an undetectable VL and am on Atripla.

[Miss Philicia]

I would be more careful about creatine supplementation than any protein intake -- renal function, etc. Hopefully you have informed your doctor that your are taking this and what amount.

And yes, I've taken it myself but that was over a decade ago before there was much literature on it.

linky

People with HIV also need to be aware of the risk of long-term toxicity with creatine supplementation, Giorgo Sakkas told aidsmap. Apart from causing muscle pain and cramping in the shorter term, creatine may also cause kidney damage with longer term use, especially if the dose is too high or the user is suffering from renal insufficiency. There may be a particular risk in those patients taking tenofovir or other drugs associated with raised creatine levels.

I'm not saying not to take it, just to make sure your doctor knows and can monitor the appropriate stuff in your regular lab work, as well as discuss proper dosing.

ps: t-cells going up by 100 really have nothing to do with creatine or whey powder -- you can't prove that in the absence of that they would have done the same thing. It's as if I said I binged on coke for a month and my t-cells increased by 200. Sometimes things just happen, and outside of a controlled study your statement means nothing.

[keat85]

When you discuss the protein's effect on renal system, were you discussing in common or particularly about us pozzies?  Also, could I ask how often you take pure whey protein when you're operating out?  I perform out 3-5 periods per weeks time, and I was preparing to take one information on each exercise day.

[surf18]

I take 3 sccops of Optimum Whey a day. I have before HIV and after the last 2 years. Kidney function are fine. Whey in the form of 3 or so a day is fine.