Best Diets For Diabetics With High Urine Protein

High urine protein, or proteinuria, is a condition in which the urine contains abnormally high amounts of albumin, the main blood protein. Diabetes and hypertension are the most common causes of proteinuria. As proteinuria is a sign of kidney failure, it should be taken very seriously. Glycemic index diets, which restrict the daily intake of candy, sweets and other carbohydrate foods that quickly convert into blood sugar in the digestive system, are among the best diets for treating diabetes and proteinuria that results from this condition.

Diabetes and Proteinuria

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce insulin, a hormone that signals to cells when glucose, or blood sugar, is available in the bloodstream. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces sufficient insulin, but the insulin binding sites on the cell surfaces do not transmit the signal from insulin properly to the cells' interior. In both types of diabetes, the body's cells fail to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This results in an accumulation of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can lead to proteinuria, a condition in which the kidneys fail to prevent protein from ending up in the urine.

Glycemic Index Diets

Proteinuria that results from diabetes is commonly treated with medications that control blood sugar levels. In diabetes 1, daily insulin injections before meals can control blood glucose. Doctors normally prescribe blood glucose medications and a diet that lowers blood glucose levels for diabetes 2. Glycemic index diets, such as the South Beach Diet, are among the best diets to control blood glucose. They restrict the daily intake of high-glycemic index, or fast, carbohydrates, such as sweets, white rice, white pasta and white bread, and encourage high consumption of low-glycemic index, or slow, carbohydrates, such as whole grain foods, legumes and vegetables.

Low-Carb Diets

Regular low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet, can also help control blood glucose levels. The Atkins diet restricts all carbohydrates to 20 g during the induction phase and allows up to 100 g of carbohydrates during later weight-loss phases. Although there are no dietary restrictions on fat and protein consumption, proponents of the diet recommend choosing healthy fat and protein foods, such as lean meat, fatty fish, soy products and low-fat, unsweetened dairy.

Relative Benefits of Glycemic Index Diets and Low-Carb Diets

Glycemic index diets and regular low-carb diets lower your blood glucose levels either by restricting all carbohydrates, the main source of glucose, or by restricting carbohydrates that quickly convert into glucose. Slowing down the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream can help keep blood glucose at low, steady levels. Both diets indirectly control blood sugar by increasing the time it takes to feel satiated. They do that by exposing the small intestine to fat for a longer time period. When the small intestine is exposed to fat for a longer time, this makes the body produce hormones that trigger a feeling of fullness. According to Science Daily, glycemic index diets high in slow carbohydrates are more heart-healthy than low-carb diets that merely lower the glycemic index of the total food consumed.