| The benefits of protein supplements for diabetes | | | | concentrations were associated with a lower |
| are well known in the medical world, although not | | | | carbohydrate intake. Carbs are converted to |
| universally agreed. What is universally agreed is | | | | glucose by the body's metabolism, and could act |
| that Type 2 diabetes is associated, to a large | | | | to aggravate the condition by creating a higher |
| extent, with weight; the majority of those | | | | insulin demand. |
| affected by the condition being overweight. | | | | In fact, the 'Diabetes' magazine reported in |
| However, this does not in any way suggest that | | | | September, 2004 (vol 53, No 9) that a low |
| only the obese or overweight are affected by | | | | carbohydrate with a high protein diet had a |
| diabetes. | | | | positive effect on glucose control in those with |
| There have been several studies that have | | | | type 2 diabetes. The amount of glucose circulating |
| suggested that diabetics can improve their | | | | in the blood of subjects undergoing the test was |
| conditions by increasing the amount of protein in | | | | 'dramatically reduced', and this was hailed as a |
| their diets. One study published in the American | | | | possible means of self-regulation of blood glucose |
| Journal of Clinical Nutrition in October, 2003 | | | | levels by those with the condition. |
| reported that glycemic control was improved in | | | | All of these studies tend to indicate a high protein |
| subjects taking a diet high in protein for five | | | | diet and protein supplements for diabetes patients |
| weeks. Another article, published in Diabetes Care | | | | is beneficial in controlling the levels of glucose in |
| in 2002, found similar results. Even as recent as | | | | the blood or helping to maintain weight loss when |
| October, 2009, the results of studies were | | | | dieting. Since both of these are known factors in |
| presented at the European Association for the | | | | Type 2 diabetes, then it makes sense for you to |
| Study of Diabetes Symposium by Dr. Astrup. The | | | | include more protein in your diet if you are |
| presentation indicated that weight loss by diabetics | | | | diabetic. However, protein is available in many |
| was more easily maintained by those taking a high | | | | forms, and it is not always convenient to include |
| protein diet. | | | | more when cooking. |
| Like any discussion on medical and supplement | | | | One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by |
| matters, not everybody agrees with this, but | | | | using protein supplements with meals, particularly |
| there is sufficient evidence available to confirm | | | | those supplements that contain high |
| that the benefits of protein supplements for | | | | concentrations of protein in small volumes of |
| diabetes patients outweigh any disadvantages of | | | | supplement. That not only reduces the cost, but |
| a high protein diet. In addition the condition is more | | | | also the impact of the supplement on a normal |
| easily controlled by a protein rich diet. | | | | diet. One might or might not combine that with a |
| Whether the protein should also be associated | | | | reduction in carbohydrates, but irrespective of |
| with carbohydrates or not is another matter. It | | | | that, it appears that protein supplements for |
| would make sense if the high protein levels that | | | | diabetics have a beneficial effect on blood glucose |
| result in a reduction in blood plasma glucose | | | | levels. |