Diabetes Information


Protein Principles for Diabetes


Dietary considerations can present a Hobson's choice in diabetes. Even when the intake is nutritious, assimilating it can be another matter. Then there is the problem of progression of diabetic complications if one ends up with excess glucose or fat in the system. Excess carbohydrates in a meal, and the resulting uncontrolled blood sugar levels can be detrimental to any number of tissues, from the lens of the eye, to the neurons, small blood vessels and the kidneys. Fat is also a problem with increase incidences of atherosclerosis, large vessel disease and cardiac complications. What, then is the appropriate macronutrient for the diabetic population? Enough medical literature exists to suggest that in diabetes, proteins are probably the best bet.

Proteins are the natural choice of the body when faced with diabetes. In uncontrolled diabetes, muscle protein is broken down into amino acids to be converted into glucose by the liver. If left to fend for itself, this can create a commotion within the body. Since proteins have to supply enough energy to substitute for carbohydrates, proteins are broken down faster than they are made. The body ends up with a protein deficit, a situation with subtle, yet far-reaching effects on normal body functions. Importantly, for diabetics, a protein deficit has been shown to impair resistance to infections (Ganong WF). Replenishing the depleting protein stores is a vital requirement of all diabetic diets.

Importance of proteins in a diabetic has been well documented. The American Associations of Clinical Endocrinologists have made it clear that not much evidence exists to indicate that the patients with diabetes need to reduce their intake of dietary proteins. The AACE recommends that 10-20% of the calorie intake in diabetes should come from proteins (AACE Diabetes Guidelines). It is in fact believed that this is one nutrient that does not increase blood glucose levels in both diabetics and healthy subjects (Gannon et al).

Nutrition therapy for diabetes has progressed from prevention of obesity or weight gain to improving insulin's effectiveness and contributing to improved metabolic control (Franz MJ). In this new role, a high protein diet (30% of total food energy) forms a very pertinent part of nutrition therapy. One of the most important causes for type II diabetes is obesity. Excess body fat raises insulin resistance and higher levels of insulin are required to bring down blood sugars as the weight increases (Ganong WF). Another problem with excess fat is the clogging of arteries with atherosclerotic plaques that is responsible for a wide range of diabetic complications. Any mechanism that reduces body fat decreases insulin resistance and improves blood glucose control. Parker et al have also shown that a high protein diet decreased abdominal and total fat mass in women with type II diabetes. Other studies by Gannon et al. and Nuttall et al have verified that blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (a marker of long term diabetic control) reduce after 5 weeks on a diet containing 30% of the total food energy in the form of proteins and low carbohydrate content. It is speculated that a high protein diet has a favorable effect in diabetes due to the ability of proteins and amino acids to stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. Thus, a high protein diet is not only safe in diabetes, but can also be therapeutic, resulting in improved glycemic control, and decreased risk of complications related to diabetes.

The benefits of a high protein diet do not end here. Individual protein components of such a diet, when aptly chosen, can have other advantages as well. Dietary supplements containing proteins like whey and casein come highly recommended. Casein is a milk protein and has the ability to form a gel or clot in the stomach. The ability to form this clot makes it very efficient in nutrient supply. The clot is able to provide a sustained, slow release of amino acids into the blood stream, sometimes lasting for several hours (Boirie et al. 1997). A slow sustained release of nutrients matches well with the limited amount of insulin that can be produced by the pancreas in diabetes. A protein supplement containing casein can thus increase the amount of energy assimilated from every meal and, at the same time, reduce the need for pharmacological interventions to control blood sugar.

Whey proteins and caseins also contain "casokinins" and "lactokinins', (FitzGerald) which have been found to decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive humans (Seppo). In addition, whey protein forms bioactive amine in the gut that promotes immunity. Whey protein contains an ample supply of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine appears to enhance glutathione levels, which has been shown to have strong antioxidant properties -- antioxidants mop up free radicals that induce cell death and play a role in aging.

Thus, development of a protein supplement containing casein and whey can provide an apt high protein diet and its health benefits to individuals suffering from diabetes, obesity and hypercholesterolemia.

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com

REFERENCES

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Medical guidelines for the management of diabetes. AACE Diabetes Guidelines, Endocr Pract. 2002; 8(Suppl 1).

Boirie, Y., Dangin, M., Gachon, P., Vasson, M.P., Maubois, J.L. and Beaufrere, B. (1997) Slow and fast dietary proteins differently modulate postprandial protein accretion. Proclamations of National Academy of Sciences 94, 14930-14935.

Counous, G. Whey protein concentrates (WPC) and glutathione modulation in cancer treatment. Anticancer Research 2000; 20, 4785-4792

FitzGerald RJ, Murray BA, Walsh D J. Hypotensive Peptides from Milk Proteins. J. Nutr. 134: 980S-988S, 2004.

Franz MJ. Prioritizing diabetes nutrition recommendations based on evidence. Minerva Med. 2004; 95(2):115-23.

Gannon et al An increase in dietary protein improves the blood glucose response in persons with type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 2003; 78:734- 41.

Gannon MC, Nuttall J A, Damberg G. Effect of protein ingestion on the glucose appearance rate in people with type II diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 86: 1040-1047, 2001

Ganong W F. Review of Medical Physiology, 21st Ed. Lange Publications 2003

Ha, E. and Zemel, M.B. Functional properties of whey, whey components, and essential amino acids: mechanisms underlying health benefits for active people. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry 2003; 14, 251-258.

Kent KD, Harper WJ, Bomser JA. Effect of whey protein isolate on intracellular glutathione and oxidant-induced cell death in human prostate epithelial cells. Toxicol in Vitro. 2003; 17(1):27-33.

Nuttall et al. The Metabolic Response of Subjects with Type II Diabetes to a High-Protein, Weight-Maintenance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88: 3577-3583, 2003

Parker et al. Effect of a High-Protein, High-Monounsaturated Fat Weight Loss Diet on glycemic Control and Lipid Levels in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 25:425-430, 2002.

Seppo, L., Jauhiainen, T., Poussa, T. & Korpela, R. () A fermented milk high in bioactive peptides has a blood pressure-lowering effect in hypertensive subjects. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003; 77: 326-330. Unger RH. Glucagon physiology and pathophysiology. N Engl J Med. 1971; 285:443- 449.

Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Aggressive Treatments Don't Help Diabetes Patients
WebMD
But for individual people with diabetes, the findings brought some good news in that the current standard of care worked better than expected, some doctors ...
Diabetes Trial: Drug Treatment May Not Cut Heart DiseaseTIME
To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat DrugsU.S. News & World Report
At risk of diabetesDaytona Beach News-Journal
Pharma Times -HealthandAge.com -Tucson Citizen
all 127 news articles »


TopNews United States

Salsalate Might Help in the Treatment of Diabetes
TopNews United States
According to a report, salsalate, a pain killer, might help people with type 2 diabetes in controlling their blood sugar levels. ...
Arthritis drug shows promise in Type 2 diabetes studyBoston Globe
Salsalate May Help Treat Type 2 DiabetesWebMD
Drug Helps Diabetics, Trial FindsNew York Times
U.S. News & World Report -Times of India -BusinessWeek
all 46 news articles »


Daily Contributor

FDA Rejects Amylin Diabetes Drug, Seeks More Info
Wall Street Journal
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--The US Food and Drug Administration denied approval of a long-acting version of diabetes drug ...
Amylin shares up on FDA response for diabetes drugThe Associated Press
Diabetes Drug From Lilly, Amylin Under ScrutinyForbes
Alkermes, others rise on Byetta newsBoston Globe
Cincinnati.com -San Diego Union Tribune -Xconomy
all 253 news articles »


TopNews United States

Adding fat-lowering drug no help for diabetic hearts
Indian Express
... no additional protection from heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to data from a large study. ...
Adding fat-lowering drug no help for diabetic heartsReuters
Tricor Not Useful for DiabeticsTopNews United States
Fibrates provide no additional protection from heart problems in diabeticsCelebrities With Diseases
Wall Street Journal -BusinessWeek -Forbes (blog)
all 95 news articles »


Publix Offering Common Diabetes Drug 'Metformin' Free to Customers
The Ledger
LAKELAND | Publix Super Markets Inc. is offering a common diabetes medication free to customers as part of a new health initiative. ...
Publix offers free diabetes drugSun-Sentinel
Publix offering free GlucophageAtlanta Business Chronicle
Publix to Offer Free Medication to Some DiabeticsThe Ledger

all 22 news articles »


FDA Requests More Info on MannKind's Diabetes Inhalant Drug
FOXBusiness
MannKind Corp. announced Monday that the US Food & Drug Administration had requested more information regarding its new Diabetes drug ...
MannKind Falls After FDA Requests More Info On Diabetes DrugWall Street Journal
FDA Delays Mannkind Diabetes Approval: BioBuzzTheStreet.com (subscription)
FDA Requests Additional Information Regarding AFREZZA(TM) in Complete Response ...MarketWatch (press release)
BioWorld Online -Los Angeles Times -Forbes
all 81 news articles »


New York Daily News

Bret Michaels Wins First 'Celebrity Apprentice' Challenge for American ...
Icon Vs. Icon
Winning $100000 dollars for the American Diabetes Association was the ultimate in prizes for the life-long diabetic, but Bret's luck didn't stop there. ...
'The Celebrity Apprentice': $100 burgers for diabetesZap2it.com (blog)

all 248 news articles »


dBTechno

Novartis Drugs Don't Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
CNM News Network
Novartis Drugs Don't Prevent Type 2 Diabetes? A recent study shows that two drugs by Novartis AG fail to prevent type 2 diabetes. ...
Drugs in pre-diabetics do little to slow progression to diabetes or to heart ...Los Angeles Times (blog)
Search for Better Diabetes Therapy Falls ShortWall Street Journal
Novartis drugs fail to prevent diabetes in the overweightXinhua
dBTechno -Food Consumer -BusinessWeek
all 31 news articles »


Diabetes study quashed optimism
Columbus Dispatch
That's what local diabetes experts take away from a national study that showed increasing the use of drugs to stringently control blood sugar, ...
Study Finds Too Many Meds Bad for DiabeticsKFSM

all 2 news articles »


Google News

internet marketing business
home | site map
©2008  quick and easy ways to make money