Have you wondered how whey protein affects diabetes? Many people use whey protein to help supplement necessary protein intake. Whether trying to build muscle or retain existing muscle as they get older, Americans often use whey protein to ensure they’ve consumed enough protein for the day.
Even though people with diabetes understand how carbohydrates affect them, they may not fully understand how protein, or more specifically whey protein affects diabetes. In this article, we’ll cover the supplement and what diabetics should know about whey protein, diabetes, and blood glucose levels.
So, how Does Whey Protein Affect Diabetes? Whey protein and diabetes are a beneficial combination, as protein can promote weight loss and increase insulin production in those with type 2 diabetes. Whey protein also contains amino acids that are essential for providing the body with antioxidants.
What is Whey Protein?
Whey protein is often recognized as a supplement in powder form. If you walk into a local vitamin store, whey tends to be the most popular protein supplement.
Whey protein is often found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Dairy milk has two main types of protein known as casein and whey. Whey makes up about 20% of the protein in milk.
During the cheese-making process, a major byproduct is whey protein. Manufacturers of cheese used to discard the byproduct before recognizing its value. After realizing whey protein’s serious commercial value, they began making use of it.
After being separated from the cheese, the whey protein is processed into a powder supplement. From there, the supplement can be used to make shakes, protein bars, and sold in powder form. This is extremely beneficial for those that struggle to meet their protein intake for the day or for those that are looking to build muscle.
Whey protein contains essential nutrients for the human body. This includes amino acids which are the building blocks for building muscle.
Please note, since whey protein is derived from dairy products, those that are lactose intolerant or have another allergy to dairy products may find it difficult to use. Other types of protein do exist and have different or more specialized uses. Some protein sources do not come from dairy products, making them more likely to be useful for those with lactose intolerance.
Not only that, but whey protein is different than other proteins such as soy or casein because it is absorbed quicker. This allows for better protein synthesis. However, most proteins contain essential amino acids and will be beneficial for building muscle.
How Whey Protein Affects Diabetes
There are various ways that whey protein affects diabetes. Some positive influences include:
Amino Acids
Whey protein contains crucial amino acids that the body needs, including a major amino acid, L-cysteine. When it comes to understanding how whey protein affects diabetes, L-cysteine may play an important role. This amino acid may have a glucose-lowering effect on those with type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin resistance. It may also prevent damage to blood vessels, which is often caused by diabetes. More research is still needed to determine how L-cysteine affects humans with type 2 diabetes. However, in a study done with diabetic rats, the amino acid proved to lower glucose levels and prevent blood vessel inflammation.
Though research is not complete and the evidence on how this amino acid impacts people with diabetes is still occurring, proper protein and amino acid intake is still vital for healthy living.
Better Postprandial Blood Sugar Levels
What’s a major way whey protein affects diabetes? Postprandial blood sugar is the level of your blood sugar after having a meal. As it turns out, whey protein affects diabetes by providing better postprandial blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest that whey protein may have a glucose-lowering effect on those with type 2 diabetes. Those with type 2 diabetes that include whey protein as part of their regular diet may experience higher insulin levels. This allows for glucose levels to be lowered and better controlled through increased insulin response.
Increased insulin responses can provide enhanced blood glucose control, especially after eating. Patients with diabetes often find it difficult to control blood sugar levels after meals, which makes adding proper protein into their diet beneficial. Ultimately, better postprandial blood sugar readings can result in better hemoglobin A1c test results, as well as better overall health.
How Does Whey Protein Affect Diabetes? It Promotes Weight Loss!
One cause of insulin resistance for those with Type 2 diabetes is due to excess belly fat. An excellent way to improve insulin sensitivity is to work towards losing weight. However, losing weight is no easy task.
Thankfully, whey protein affects diabetes and related weight issues through the promotion of weight loss. Most experts in the health industry agree that increasing the consumption of protein can help promote weight loss as it makes you feel fuller, protects muscle, and helps recovery after exercise.
Not only that, but some studies suggest that whey protein decreases ghrelin. Ghrelin is known as the “hunger hormone.” This hormone plays an important role in managing your feelings of hunger. As a person increases their intake of protein, the more they feel full, allowing them to have more self-control when it comes to hunger and eating.
Ultimately, those feelings of satiation help people looking to lose weight avoid excess calories. Therefore, the more protein included in your diet, the less likely you are to crave carbohydrates and low-quality foods. Having a whey protein shake in the morning or midday can satisfy your hunger craving for a good portion of the day. Doing this allows you to get the nutrients your body needs while allowing you to consume less calories.
In other words, whey protein affects diabetes by helping them achieve sustainable weight loss, which can help improve insulin sensitivity.
Decreases Inflammation
Surprisingly, inflammation can play a major role in how easy it is to lose weight. Many people find it challenging to lose weight and control blood sugar levels because they are suffering from inflammation. Inflammation can occur due to a variety of reasons, but inflammation is your body’s response to damage.
Those who have diabetes tend to have higher inflammation markers. One fundamental cause of inflammation in those with diabetes is insulin resistance. The increased insulin resistance sparks the body’s immune system into action, increasing inflammation. Worse yet, inflammation has been known to inhibit insulin signaling, further exacerbating insulin resistance.
The amount of inflammation in your body is measured through a c-reactive protein test. Your liver produces c-reactive protein, which is released into the bloodstream as part of your body’s response to inflammation. High whey protein consumption was shown to reduce the amount of c-reactive proteins. This suggests that incorporating higher doses of whey protein supplements into your diet can reduce inflammation. Reducing inflammation can prove to be extremely helpful in losing weight and controlling blood sugar levels.
Decreases Triglycerides and Cholesterol
Triglycerides are a type of fat that your body needs, as it can be used for energy. However, there are healthy and unhealthy levels of triglycerides. High levels of triglycerides can increase your risk of heart disease. It is estimated that about one-quarter of the people in the U.S have elevated levels of triglycerides. Those that are overweight and have type 2 diabetes generally have higher levels. Studies show that having a high protein and low-fat diet can decrease triglyceride levels. Even having a whey protein supplement after meals can help lower triglycerides in those with diabetes.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
The amount of protein that you should consume depends on your specific goals. For example, a person that is in the gym often and trying to pack on muscle mass should be consuming more protein than the average person. Typically, though, about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight should be consumed for the average person. So, for an individual weighing 200 pounds, about 72 grams of protein should be consumed in a day.
Overall, meeting your protein needs can be difficult for some. Thankfully whey protein supplements can be a simple way to get the proper nutrition you need.
For diabetics, knowing how whey protein affects diabetes can mean the difference between proper protein intake and falling short day after day.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you some helpful insight into how whey protein affects diabetes. Check out our blog page for more information regarding diabetes and other medical insight. If you are having trouble affording your medication, then contact us. Prescription Hope works with pharmaceutical manufacturers to help you receive your medication at a set, affordable cost. Enroll with us to find out if you are eligible to receive your prescription medications for $70.00 a month through Prescription Hope’s medication access service for each medication.
