Posted on 5th Sep 2011 @ 4:23 PM

Ask any healthcare provider and they will tell you that being overweight can increase your risk of developing type II diabetes.  This should be a concern for everyone, since on average; we will gain a pound per year.  Studies are showing that whey protein is beneficial in both weight management and diabetes, so whether you are trying to lose weight or currently suffer from this disease, whey protein may be a tool to help manage it.

Whey has been shown to increase satiety in subjects after meals, therefore decreasing the amount of calories you take in and helping you feel fuller for longer periods of time. Whey protein, medium-chain fatty acids and in particular, calcium, may contribute to the beneficial effect of dairy food on body fat and body mass.

Some groups have a higher risk for developing type II diabetes than others, one of which is our aging population.  Type II diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all cases of diabetes and occurs mostly in adults. The good news about this type of diabetes is that talking with your Dr. and developing a healthy diet can sometimes be enough to manage this disease without the use of medications.  Diabetes can lead to other health problems such as; kidney disease, foot problems, heart disease, vision problems and stroke.  Many people with diabetes already have other health related problems such as; high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, physical inactivity and being overweight. The goal would be to try and eliminate these health risks that might eventually lead to type II diabetes, and that's where whey protein is proving to be beneficial.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that you know your ABC’s of diabetes:

            ●A1C number (blood test, number should be below 7)

            ●Blood pressure (130/80 or under for diabetics)

            ●Cholesterol level (LDL below 100)

A recent study from the Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews looked at slow versus fast proteins in the stimulation of beta-cell response.  They found that fast uptake proteins (i.e. whey protein) are better than slow uptake proteins in providing increased glycemic control in individuals with type II diabetes.  Also, another study done on the effect of whey protein on blood glucose and insulin responses during meals found that the addition of whey to meals stimulates insulin release and reduces blood glucose levels in type II diabetic subjects.

If you've had the impression that whey protein is used only by athletes or bodybuilders, you might want to take a second look.  Whey protein is being used in every age group and at every level of fitness to improve overall health and well being.  Ask your healthcare provider if a high quality whey protein supplement could help you on your road to conquering the scale and preventing or managing type II diabetes!

Our grass-fed whey protein products, ImmunoPro^®, RenewPro^® and Vital Whey^® are all made with Proserum^®, the finest native whey protein. Created to maintain all original regenerative and immune enhancing native protein components.  Proserum^® has the full range and highest levels of naturally-occurring glutathione (GSH) precursors: covalent bonded cysteine, lactoferrin, immunoglobulins, and active peptides.

Our next topic in this discussion on Whey Protein and Aging, will be on Immune Support and Detoxification.  See you then! 

References

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Effect of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses in type 2 diabetic subjects 

Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews: Slow versus fast proteins in type 2 diabetes

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