(NaturalPath) According to a new study out of Israel, presented at the annual Endocrine Society meeting, a large breakfast containing whey protein may help manage Type 2 diabetes.
“A high-calorie protein breakfast, medium-sized lunch and small dinner is a proven successful strategy for weight loss, improved satiety and reduced glucose spikes throughout the day in people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes,” said the lead researcher.
But they note that the protein source and quality are also important. The whey protein powder (byproduct of milk during cheese production) had a greater impact than other protein sources such as eggs, soy, or tuna, according to the study.
The experiment included 48 overweight and obese participants with Type 2 diabetes who were an average of 59 years old. They had the individuals consume one of three diets that had the same number of calories over the course of 23 months. One group consumed mostly whey protein, one ate other proteins (eggs, soy and tuna), while the third ate a breakfast high in carbohydrates or starches.
The results of the study were that after 12 weeks, the whey group had lost the most weight (16.7 pounds), compared to the other proteins group (13.4 pounds) and carbohydrate group (6.8 pounds).
“Whey protein diet participants were more satiated and less hungry throughout the day, with lower glucose spikes after meals compared to the other two diets, and their HbA1C also decreased more than with the other two diets.”
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
