Your body requires a variety of nutrients to function properly. Protein, carbohydrates and fats, as well as water, vitamins and minerals, are all necessary for good health. Protein affects some of the body’s processes in different ways than fats or carbohydrates. Protein does not directly affect your blood sugar.
About Protein
The food you eat, including protein, supplies energy to your body. Your body also uses protein to manufacture hemoglobin – the protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen -- to form infection-fighting antibodies and supply nitrogen for genetic material. Protein from animal sources contains the essential amino acids humans must eat because they are unable to synthesize them. Foods such as whole eggs, milk, meat, fish and poultry are mostly or exclusively protein.
Too Little Protein
Eating insufficient amounts of protein can prevent you from feeling full or satiated. Too little protein in the diet may also cause you to overeat carbohydrates or fats. Overeating carbohydrates can increase the blood sugar, because carbohydrates are quickly digested and broken down into sugar. The substitution of carbohydrates for protein, not the lack of protein, has this effect.
Protein and Blood Sugar
Carbohydrates have the most significant effect on blood sugar, but all foods eventually affect the blood sugar level because all foods are sources of energy. Protein has no immediate effect on blood sugar levels because it contains no carbohydrates. One study in the April 2011 “Current Diabetes Reports” recommended increasing protein intake in diabetics. An increased protein intake in diabetics improves blood sugar control by increasing the body’s response to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar.
Protein and Energy
Protein and fats digest slowly, then store in muscle and fat tissue or in the form of glucose molecules in the blood; they are not used as energy sources unless the body is deficient in carbohydrates or total calories. If you did not eat for several days, your body would start to break down the fat stores to supply your energy needs. If you continued to go without food, eventually your body would start to break down muscle tissue for energy.
Considerations
Although managing the balance of carbohydrate, protein and fats is critical for diabetics, who must keep their blood sugars stable, it may also be helpful for people who do not have diabetes. if you have questions or concerns about your diet or blood sugar, discuss them with a health-care professional.
References
- “Journal of Nutrition”; Inadequate Dietary Protein Increases Hunger and Desire to Eat in Younger and Older Men; John W. Apolzan, et al.; June 2007
- “Current Diabetes Reports”; Protein Content In Diabetes Nutrition Plan; O. Hamdy and E.S. Horton; April 2011
- Elmhurst College; Overview of Metabolism; Charles E. Ophardt; 2003
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar
- Central Ohio Diabetes Association: How Food Affects Blood Sugar
- Diabetes Organization: Lean Meats
