Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar in the body and keeps blood sugar within a certain range for optimal health. In diabetics, the body doesn't produce enough insulin or cells reject the effects of the hormone. This results in high blood sugar levels, which long-term can impair blood vessel health and increase your risk for disease. Protein powder, such as whey, and the amino acid glutamine might be effective supplements for diabetics to help control blood sugar. Consult your health care provider before taking any supplements.
Glutamine
Scientists at Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia studied the impact of glutamine with or without sitagliptin, a diabetic medication that lowers blood sugar, on post meal glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. Participants consumed a low-fat meal after receiving one of the following: water; 30 g of glutamine; 15 g of glutamine; 100 mg of sitagliptin; 100 mg of sitagliptin plus 15 g of glutamine. Scientists discovered that those in the 30 g glutamine group experienced greater increases in insulin and decreases in post meal glucose levels compared with the other groups. The findings were reported in the July 2011 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition."
Whey Protein
If you've got diabetes, losing weight can improve glucose control, reduce blood pressure and decrease cholesterol. Whey protein added to a calorie-reduced diet may boost weight loss, according to a review conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada. They found that whey protein is superior to a placebo for increasing satiety, thereby decreasing calorie intake and enhancing weight loss. The findings were reported in the December 2007 issue of the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition."
Whey Protein and Glucose Levels
Whey protein might also help reduce blood glucose levels after a meal, according to research published in the July 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." Researchers from University Hospital in Sweden discovered that type 2 diabetics taking whey protein with breakfast and lunch experienced greater increases in insulin and reductions in blood glucose levels after meals compared with those consuming the same meals without whey protein.
Kidney Health
Concerns have been raised about the affects of increasing protein intake on kidney health, particularly in diabetics. However, scientists at RMIT University in Australia observed that type 2 diabetics consuming a high-protein, low carb diet for one year experienced no changes in kidney function, according to research reported in the April 2011 issue of "Diabetologia."
References
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Glutamine Reduces Postprandial Glycemia and Augments The Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Response in Type 2 Diabetes; D. Samocha-Bonet et al.; July 2011
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Whey proteins in the regulation of food intake and satiety; B.L. Luhovyy et al.; December 2007
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effect of Whey on Blood Glucose and Insulin Responses To Composite Breakfast and Lunch Meals in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects; A.H. Frid et al.; July 2005
- "Diabetologia"; The Effect of High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Diets in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: a 12 Month Randomised Controlled Trial; R.N. Larsen, et al.; April 2011
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