Can Whey Protein Improve Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes?

11.3% of the population aged 20 years or older (25.6 million individuals) has diabetes. In the population aged 65 years or older, the prevalence of diabetes reaches to 26.9%.

Type 2 DM is caused by insulin resistance accompanied by insufficient compensatory insulin response. Therefore insulin secretagogues are a significant component of the therapeutic armamentarium. Insulin secretagogues, such as sulphonylureas and meglitinides, are routinely prescribed to lower post prandial glucose levels in type 2 DM. However, these medications are cleared by the liver and the kidneys and cannot be used in the presence of relevant co-morbidities. These medicines can also cause side effects, including hypoglycemia. Limitations of these medicines are likely to lead diabetic patients and their health care providers to seek alternate methods to treat postprandial hyperglycemia. Thus, our research which aims to identify an alternate insulin secretagogue is important and timely.

Whey protein (WP), a rich source of essential and branch chain (BC) amino acids (AA), is a potent insulin secretagogue. Although it is well known that protein and/or AA intakes stimulate insulin secretion, protein supplements are not being used clinically in order to lower post-prandial glycemia. WP can be a satisfactory alternative to the pharmaceutical insulin secretagogues.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women with type 2 DM; age: 25 to 70y; BMI: 25 - 40 kg/m2; on no drug treatment or on metformin alone; HgBA1 6.5 - 8.5%; urinary microalbumin < 30 mg/g cr.

Exclusion criteria

• Systemic disease (liver, renal, untreated hypothyroidism, etc); in the last 2 mo: > 5% weight change, smoking, alcohol intake > 4 /wk; restricted diets; medications or herbals affecting insulin secretion/sensitivity . Pregnant women, prisoners, individuals who cannot provide informed consent.