Whey Protein And Diabetes - Things That You Should Know

Since a healthy diet and exercise can be beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels as well as keeping these levels within safe limits, it makes sense to consider trying some whey protein supplements to help diabetics maintain a healthy balance. While there are no guarantees that they will lower blood sugar levels, it does provide some of the same benefits that many diabetics enjoy.  In this article you will learn more about the whey protein and diabetes. 

• Whey protein helps to increase muscle protein synthesis, which helps the body to use insulin better and produces energy at a higher rate. In addition, whey also has amino acid contents that are necessary for providing the body with essential antioxidants. These are also needed to keep the joints from becoming stiff.
• High quality protein that has undergone a complete protein synthesis is known as l-glutamine. It is an amino acid that helps regulate energy and lean tissue mass production. It is also important for maintaining healthy liver function and proper functioning of glucose transporters. In addition, l-glutamine is important for controlling blood glucose levels.
• People with diabetes should consume foods that contain low amounts of fats, carbohydrates, and protein. This means avoiding dairy products such as milk and cheese. A high fat diet is bad for anyone, but especially for diabetics. It is even more dangerous for those with type II diabetes because these patients already have other health issues. The only good option for them would be to replace these foods with fats and carbohydrates, while consuming adequate amounts of protein. However, since the body does not produce adequate amounts of l-glutamine on its own, it is important to supplement it with whey protein and dairy foods.
• Many people with type I and II diabetes choose to take whey protein along with a sugar-free, low-fat milk or diet drink. In doing this, they bypass a potentially problematic food group. For one, the sugar in these products can cause a rise in blood glucose, which can lead to complications. For another, amino acids in protein synthesis are ruined when glucose levels rise, so the body stops making these important amino acids. Since these acids are needed for building muscle and storing energy, this is a double edged sword.
• It is also recommended that diabetic patients try to limit their protein intake per day. This is because protein can also raise blood pressure. A study on overweight and obese children found that those with higher protein intake had lower blood pressure at one month than those with lower protein intake. Of course, most doctors do not recommend a zero-protein diet in patients with diabetes. However, researchers have suggested that diabetics who follow a low calorie, low fat, low cholesterol and low sodium diet have better outcomes than those who don't. So, if you choose to increase your protein intake, make sure you are still within the protein requirements for maintaining your health.
• Some people have suggested that consuming whey can help improve circulation. They may believe that taking whey before exercise can help you build more muscle, since protein synthesis in the muscle is what helps build muscle. Although protein synthesis has been studied in healthy nonathletes, there has been very little research done on people with diabetes, hypertension or even muscle loss. If you regularly take an amino acid, such as leucine, there have been some positive studies that indicate increased muscle mass. But, again, if you don't already take an amino acid, leucine may help you but you should check with your doctor to be sure.
• Another suggestion from some experts suggests that you take a high quality protein supplement instead of a protein isolate because a protein isolate is very low in fats. The problem is that some of these supplements do not actually contain all the essential amino acids needed by the body. Also, some people do not process amino acids properly in their system, so they end up storing fat instead of burning it off. For this reason, some people have suggested that you consume five grams of protein isolate each day. This can be somewhat limiting, especially for athletes who need much higher levels of protein.

Hope this article helped you to better understand about whey protein and diabetes. If you would like to add anything, feel free to share with us in the comments section below. We would love to know your thoughts on this.