- Purified glycomacropeptide (GMP) has been used in dietary supplements and in functional foods and beverages, which are products that claim to provide some health benefit beyond basic nutrition. GMP is produced in cheese making when an enzyme called chymosin (also known as rennin) is added to milk. Chymosin breaks down the milk protein kappa-casein into para-kappa-casein and glycomacropeptide (GMP). Para-kappa-casein is a component of the cheese curd, while the GMP peptide is part of the whey. GMP is also formed in the stomach as a product of digestion by the enzyme pepsin.
- GMP differs from other whey proteins, because it contains low levels of certain amino acids, namely phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Because GMP is the only known naturally occurring protein that does not contain phenylalanine, it may be beneficial to incorporate it into the diet of phenylketonuria (PKU) patients, who cannot metabolize phenylalanine. Research is ongoing in this area.
- GMP also has relatively high amounts of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are believed to stimulate the production of cholecystokinin (CCK), a peptide released after eating that may act as a satiety-providing appetite suppressant. The effects of GMP supplementation on satiety have not been consistent in clinical trials. Other clinical studies have tested the effects of GMP in infant formulas and weight loss.
- Well-designed clinical trials are needed before firm conclusions can be made regarding the use of GMP for any health condition.
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Glycomacropeptide
Contents
- Andersson Y, Hammarstrom ML, Lonnerdal B, et al. Formula feeding skews immune cell composition toward adaptive immunity compared to breastfeeding. J Immunol 2009;183(7):4322-4328. View Abstract
- Bruck WM, Redgrave M, Tuohy KM, et al. Effects of bovine alpha-lactalbumin and casein glycomacropeptide-enriched infant formulae on faecal microbiota in healthy term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2006;43(5):673-679. View Abstract
- Burton-Freeman BM. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is not critical to whey-induced satiety, but may have a unique role in energy intake regulation through cholecystokinin (CCK). Physiol Behav 2008;93(1-2):379-387. View Abstract
- Gunther G, Boehm G, Georgi G, et al. Glycomacropeptide in premature babies' nutrition is a main cause of hyperthreoninamia in premature babies fed on a formula diet. The Cochrane Library 2010;(1)
- Keogh JB, Woonton BW, Taylor CM, et al. Effect of glycomacropeptide fractions on cholecystokinin and food intake. Br J Nutr 2010;104(2):286-290. View Abstract
- Keogh JB, Clifton P. The effect of meal replacements high in glycomacropeptide on weight loss and markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(6):1602-1605. View Abstract
- Laclair CE, Ney DM, MacLeod EL, et al. Purification and use of glycomacropeptide for nutritional management of phenylketonuria. J Food Sci 2009;74(4):E199-E206. View Abstract
- Lam SM, Moughan PJ, Awati A, et al. The influence of whey protein and glycomacropeptide on satiety in adult humans. Physiol Behav 2009;96(1):162-168. View Abstract
- MacLeod EL, Clayton MK, van Calcar SC, et al. Breakfast with glycomacropeptide compared with amino acids suppresses plasma ghrelin levels in individuals with phenylketonuria. Mol Genet Metab 2010;100(4):303-308. View Abstract
- Rigo J, Boehm G, Georgi G, et al. An infant formula free of glycomacropeptide prevents hyperthreoninemia in formula-fed preterm infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2001;32(2):127-130. View Abstract
- Sandstrom O, Lonnerdal B, Graverholt G, et al. Effects of alpha-lactalbumin-enriched formula containing different concentrations of glycomacropeptide on infant nutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(4):921-928. View Abstract
- van Calcar SC, MacLeod EL, Gleason ST, et al. Improved nutritional management of phenylketonuria by using a diet containing glycomacropeptide compared with amino acids. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89(4):1068-1077. View Abstract
- Veldhorst MA, Nieuwenhuizen AG, Hochstenbach-Waelen A, et al. A breakfast with alpha-lactalbumin, gelatin, or gelatin + TRP lowers energy intake at lunch compared with a breakfast with casein, soy, whey, or whey-GMP. Clin Nutr 2009;28(2):147-155. View Abstract
- Veldhorst MA, Nieuwenhuizen AG, Hochstenbach-Waelen A, et al. Effects of complete whey-protein breakfasts versus whey without GMP-breakfasts on energy intake and satiety. Appetite 2009;52(2):388-395. View Abstract
- Veldhorst MAB, Nieuwenhuizen AG, Hochstenbach-Waelen A, et al. Effects of high or normal casein-, soy-, or whey with or without GMP- protein breakfasts on satiety, 'satiety' hormones, and plasma amino acid responses. Appetite 2007;49(1):336.
Disclaimer: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.
