Table of Contents
Protein is perhaps one of the most important nutrients to include in a diabetic’s diet. Because the body requires protein to produce insulin, a diabetic needs to make sure that they are getting enough protein from their daily diet to help them control their blood sugar level.1 What most people don’t realize is that even vegetarians can benefit by including protein in their diet, especially if they are trying to control their blood sugar levels.
Many people are surprised to learn that vegetarians (people who don’t eat any animal products) can benefit from increasing their protein intake. This is because protein is one of the most important nutrients for diabetics to control their blood sugar levels. One of the best ways that diabetics can do this is to eat a high protein diet such as fish, eggs, and beans. Protein is also important for people who are trying to lose weight because it helps to burn fat and calories. Vegetarians will be pleased to know that there are many vegan protein bars available on the market that provide a great source of protein.2
As you can see from the information above, there are many benefits to increasing your protein intake if you are diabetic. The biggest benefit is that it can help a diabetic maintain a healthy weight, which is something that is very important for diabetics to do. As long as a diabetic includes a healthy diet with protein-rich foods, they can benefit from all of the health benefits that protein can bring them.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the human body has a severe shortage of insulin or is unable to produce enough insulin because of a defect in the insulin-generating cells in the pancreas. Type I diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, is usually caused by infection or other causes; it does not have a known genetic factor. In this type, the pancreas produces too little insulin, which the blood absorbs for energy and the rest is sent to other parts of the body to be utilized.3 Type II diabetes, also called adult diabetes, is usually caused by an autoimmune disease, and usually results from chronic renal failure, when the kidneys cannot filter out enough waste products from the blood.
The treatment for diabetes varies, depending on its severity. While some people can live healthily on a specialized diet and regular exercise, others need aggressive intervention to bring blood glucose levels back into normal ranges. People with diabetes are usually put on medications such as insulin, which helps to regulate blood glucose levels, cut down on diabetes complications such as heart attacks, and reduce symptoms such as frequent urination and blindness. If blood glucose levels continue to be out of control, oral hypoglycemic drugs may be prescribed to restore proper levels in the blood.4
Knowing what diabetes is is important because it could help you avoid serious health problems that could have been avoided if you only knew the facts about diabetes. For example, is your blood sugar level out of normal? Diabetes is a chronic condition that could develop even if you do not have diabetes. Therefore, knowing what diabetes is can keep you from developing other life-threatening diseases, as well as making sure you get the treatment you need right away if you experience any type of health problem that could indicate a possible link between your blood sugar level and your health.5
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
According to diabetes educators, these are some of the common signs of diabetes that people should watch out for. There are also other symptoms, which can be attributed to other conditions as well. However, seeing those symptoms of diabetes immediately can help health professionals diagnose a patient’s condition more quickly.6
Symptoms of diabetes range widely, according to the severity of the condition. Some of the signs of diabetes that are commonly seen include:
- High levels of blood sugar
- Feeling thirsty easily
- Lack of energy and/or fatigue
- Sudden, and drastic weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Being unusually tired
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often confused with other health conditions, which is why it is important to consult your doctor. Type one is usually diagnosed when there is damage to the pancreas – damage that can result in abnormal growth of the pancreas or when the pancreas malfunctions and produces too little or not enough insulin at all.7 The symptoms of diabetes are very similar to those of diabetes type 2, according to recent studies. Because of the similarities between these two types of diseases, many people believe that symptoms of type I are what actually lead to diabetes, however, the symptoms of diabetes usually appear years before the onset of a diabetic episode. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of diabetes above, speak with your doctor immediately.
In short, the symptoms of diabetes can occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. And, they are often overlooked because people assume they are similar signs. But, if these symptoms are left undetected, it could lead to complications. Therefore, it is important to know the early signs of diabetes so that treatment options can be considered early.
If you have diabetes, you should know what the symptoms of diabetes are so that you can make an informed decision about your care. If you feel that you are experiencing one or more of the symptoms of diabetes, you should speak with your physician as soon as possible. Oftentimes, early detection is one of the most important things that a patient can do to maintain their health. Therefore, taking your diabetes symptoms seriously and visiting your doctor regularly is extremely important. By doing this, you will be able to control your diabetes and lead a long and healthy life.
Protein For Diabetics
A high-quality, digestible whey protein is the ideal choice for diabetics since it helps to reduce blood sugar levels consistently. Whey protein, sometimes called whey protein isolate, has shown promise in the management of type II diabetes. The protein – which is an easily digested, low-protein dairy product – provides energy and stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin. This, in turn, keeps glucose levels constant in the bloodstream. For this reason, protein for diabetics plays a crucial role in maintaining proper blood glucose levels, as well as reducing cardiovascular risk factors and lowering cholesterol.8
What Type of Protein is Healthy For Diabetics to Consume?
This is one question that a lot of people, who are diabetic, wonder about. The simple answer to this question is that protein is healthy for diabetics because it helps them control their blood glucose levels which can lead to diabetes if left uncontrolled.
For example, there are two main categories of protein: plant and animal. Organic protein is the type of protein that comes from plants and vegetables, such as those found in beans and lean meats. Animal protein is the type of protein that comes from animals, which can be either poultry or beef. In addition, there are some vegetable proteins that are okay for diabetics to consume; these are the types of protein that come from soy products, fish, and egg whites. In order to get the right amount of protein, diabetics should eat a variety of different sources.
You should eat as many different kinds of protein sources that you can to get the amount of protein that you need each day. This way, you can make sure that you’re getting the right amount of amino acids, which are important for healthy blood sugar regulation.9 Also, try to stay away from eating protein-rich food when you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
What Are The Benefits Of Whey Protein For Diabetics?
There are numerous benefits of whey protein for diabetics. For starters, diabetics should have enough energy to perform their daily duties. Energy provides much-needed energy for both exercises and for day-to-day activities such as driving to work or running errands. Without energy, diabetics feel weak and exhausted which can lead to poor judgment and impulsive actions that can result in injury or even death.
Whey protein provides energy without the attendant weight. A diet consisting mainly of proteins is very helpful in weight loss as the body burns up calories to fuel its activities and the excess pounds are flushed out through the bowels and kidneys. A protein-rich diet can therefore help to maintain a healthy weight and decrease the risk of heart disease.
Another benefit of whey protein for diabetics is its ability to stabilize blood glucose levels. This happens when the body’s cells respond to a sudden increase in blood glucose by releasing insulin. Insulin drives glucose from the bloodstream into the cells where it is put into energy. When protein, carbohydrates, and fats are consumed at the same time, the insulin concentration in the blood rises to help fuel the activity and this causes a rise in glucose levels in the blood.
Protein is known as an excellent source of essential amino acids that are crucial to the human body. It also contains all three of the major amino acids, which are cysteine, arginine, and glycine. All of these are important for the health of the skeletal, cardiovascular, nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Many of the diseases that are associated with lack of nutrition originate with a low level of protein in the body, and whey protein benefits diabetics in many ways.10
Whey protein has the ability to decrease the release of insulin. Insulin is primarily a hormone that controls blood glucose levels. The more insulin a person has, the more sugar will be produced and enter the bloodstream. For diabetics, this means that their cells are not in danger of running out of glucose, and the cells will not respond to the sharp rise in blood glucose by converting it into fat. A high-quality whey protein shake will contain all of the whey protein that diabetics need in order to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits of whey protein for diabetics. It contains all of the nutrients necessary for good health. It tastes good and helps diabetics maintain a healthy weight. When taken as a food supplement, whey protein benefits the diabetic by meeting his or her dietary needs. No matter if you are in menopause or have just recently been diagnosed with diabetes, whey protein shakes will provide you with the nutrients you need and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Image Credits
Dr. Kyrappan Blog / Google Stock Images
InterCoastal Medical Group / Google Stock Images
Healthy Heart / Google Stock Images
Harvard Health / Google Stock Images
Guardian.in / Google Stock Images
Solutions with Food / Google Stock Images
1 “Benefits of Protein – WebMD.” https://www.webmd.com/diet/benefits-protein Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
2 “Why Is Protein Important In Your Diet? | Piedmont Healthcare.” https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/why-is-protein-important-in-your-diet Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
3 “What is diabetes? | CDC.” https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
4 “What is Diabetes? | NIDDK.” https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
5 “Diabetes – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 30 Oct. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444 Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
6 “Early Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes – WebMD.” 22 Jun. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/understanding-diabetes-symptoms Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
7 “Diabetes – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 30 Oct. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444 Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
8 “Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers – Mayo Clinic.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/cholesterol/art-20045192 Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
9 “Essential Amino Acids: Definition, Benefits and Food Sources.” 12 Jun. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/essential-amino-acids Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.
10 “What is the Endocrine System? | US EPA.” 27 Jan. 2021, https://www.epa.gov/endocrine-disruption/what-endocrine-system Accessed 9 Oct. 2021.