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Study Reveals Something Surprising About Protein and Diabetes
You know that protein is essential to your strength training success because it provides the amino acids you need to repair and grow your muscles. But did you know that protein may have health benefits beyond just building up your body? It’s true, and recent research even points to protein supplements as a potential treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent disorders in the modern world, and it takes two basic forms. Type 1 diabetes is marked by an inability to make insulin, which leads to sky-high blood sugar levels and tissue damage throughout the body. Type 1 diabetes is often present from birth and diagnosed during childhood.
Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, occurs when the body cannot absorb and use the insulin that it produces and, over time, can also lead to a reduction in insulin production. This type of diabetes is usually caused by inactivity, poor diet, and high levels of body fat, and it’s a scourge on the the modern medical landscape.
Type 2 diabetes causes health problems ranging from heart disease to blindness, and most patients struggle to control their blood sugar and regain their health once diagnosed. Consequently, it’s a lucrative area of research, particularly for drug companies.
A 2014 study by scientists from Israel, though, suggests that simple nutritional tweaks may be an untapped area of research for treating diabetes. In particular, the researchers found that a whey protein supplement might make a huge difference for some patients.
The Study: Theory and Setup
Ingesting protein is known to increase the body’s production of a substance called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1. In turn, GLP-1 can stimulate insulin production and enhance insulin sensitivity, both of which help to regulate levels of blood sugar.
Scientists from Tel Aviv University, then, speculated that ingesting protein might have an indirect, but positive effect, on glucose levels.
To test this theory, the researchers recruited 15 patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who were taking only oral medications to help keep their blood sugar in check.
The patients were randomly chosen to consume either 250 mL of water (placebo), or 50 grams of whey protein dissolved in 250 ml of water. Both groups then ate a breakfast of high-glycemic foods, which would typically cause a blood sugar spike.
Researchers monitored the patients’ blood levels of insulin, glucose, and GLP-1 over a three-hour period. On a subsequent day, the original whey subjects took the placebo, and vice versa, and the tests were repeated in cross-over fashion.
The Results
So, how did the theory play out in this study?
Researchers found that blood glucose levels were 28% lower when patients took whey protein than when they drank just water, as measured 30 minutes and 180 minutes after the sugary breakfast. The whey pre-load produced nearly twice as much circulating insulin as did water alone, and GLP-1 measurements were nearly 1.5 times higher after consuming whey.
All of those measurements point to a markedly improved blood profile for patients when they consumed whey protein before eating a high-glycemic breakfast. Based on these results, the Tel Aviv researchers suggest that protein pre-feeding may hold great promise as an untapped therapy for diabetes sufferers.
More Good News for Bodybuilders
For bodybuilders and other strength athletes, this study points to yet another benefit of protein supplements and some practical information that we can use to our advantage.
For instance, if you find yourself in a situation where you know you’re going to have to choose between eating something that’s not quite as healthy as you would like or going hungry, don’t despair too much. Try getting in a quick dose of whey protein before you eat, and you should at least be able to stave off the blood sugar spike and crash that often comes with food that’s less than the best.
While most bodybuilders aren’t too concerned with blood sugar levels throughout the day, it’s good to know that one of our staples can help keep us on an even keel.
Don’t neglect your protein intake, and don’t forget that protein supplements can prove a boost to your training and your health!
For the best protein supplement checkout Bio-Available Protein .