Is Whey High In Sugar?

On Aug 30, 2022

What is whey protein?

Whey protein is one of the two major proteins found in milk and dairy products. The other major protein in dairy products is casein—many people have sensitivities to casein, but few people seem to have any sensitivity to whey protein. When rennin, a protein that curdles milk, is added to milk and other dairy products, the curds (casein) and whey separate, just as they did in the old nursery rhyme. Whey protein is used for a number of purposes—it is used to maintain daily protein intakes, to build muscle mass, and to increase fat loss. Whey isn’t the only protein to increase fat loss—most proteins do, but most proteins aren’t available in an easily dissolved powder as whey is. Whey Protein, Insulin and Blood Sugar There are a number of properties of whey protein that appear to be useful in diabetes. [1] Whey protein is a good source of the amino acid L-cysteine. L-cysteine is used to synthesize glutathione, one of the body’s most important antioxidant. Oxidative stress—the buildup of damaging free radicals—is thought to be one of the underlying causes of insulin resistance and to be responsible for some of the complications of diabetes such as peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy and kidney damage. Whey protein, when added to a meal, also appears to increase insulin secretion and to decrease blood sugar after a meal. (Post-prandial blood glucose) [2] Whey protein can also decrease triglyceride levels in diabetics after meals. In a recent study, blood sugar levels were 28% lower in those who had whey protein along with their meal. Insulin levels were increased (doubled) and, importantly, the insulin response lasted longer. The study was small, only examining the responses of 15 individuals, but the design of the study made the results significant. [3] Whey has Continue reading >>

It’s pretty well known that eating carbs causes an insulin release. But what many people don’t realize is protein causes a similar response. What is an insulin response? When we eat a meal, our digestive system breaks down food into nutrients that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugars, which lead to an increase in blood sugar after consuming them. It’s this rise in blood sugar that triggers the release of the blood-sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. This process is known as an insulin response. This process is crucial because of the delicate balancing act we call blood sugar. The body likes to keep a tight reign on blood sugar as too low or too high can have deleterious effects. We often hear insulin and think “bad” when in fact it is absolutely essential for optimal health and function. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, which also stimulate an insulin response. However, the type of insulin response varies depending on the protein food source. Benefits and dangers of an insulin response The rise in insulin after eating helps move sugar into body tissues, and therefore keeps your blood sugar from getting too high. Note from Luke: Think of insulin as a traffic cop. It tells the blood sugar (glucose) where to go. In normal and healthy individuals the glucose fuels your nervous system, red blood cells, brain and muscle tissue. With optimal amounts and good insulin sensitivity, glucose fuels your nervous system and is burned off as energy. With too much or poor insulin sensitivity your muscle don’t readily grab the glucose and it goes to where it’s always welcome: fat stores. But the release of insulin can have negative effects. Too much insulin, for instance, can stress the pancreatic cells that secrete insulin. And this ad Continue reading >>

Researchers from Israel believe people with diabetes could benefit from this protein-rich beverage. You have seen the advertisements—overly muscular body builders tauting the health benefits of one or more high-protein drinks. Although you may not be in training for the Mr. or Mrs. America contest, whey-protein drinks have been found to be helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. When consumed before breakfast, whey protein shakes can help prevent the blood sugar fluctuations that are common after meals, says Israeli researchers from Tel Aviv University. If left unchecked (continuous and long-term), these erratic variations in blood sugar can cause serious issues over time—worsening diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and damaging the retina of the eye. In fact, people with diabetes who drank the whey protein drink before breakfast saw a 28% drop in after-meal glucose scores, reported the authors of the study published in Diabetologia.1 The researchers evaluated the effectiveness of whey protein, a nutrient-rich byproduct from cheese production, against a mock product on 15 patients with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes. Some of the patients drank a protein drink containing 50 grams of whey protein, mixed with 250 milliliters of water, while the other patients consumed a placebo. They then ate a standard, high-glycemic-index breakfast as researchers monitored their glucose, insulin, and incretin levels over an entire 3-hour post-meal period. The patients were only taking a sulfonylurea, which increase insulin production from the pancreas, or metformin, which suppresses the liver from producing too much glucose. Interestingly, the glucose levels weren’t the only signs of improvement; Insulin response more than doubled (105%) while C-peptide responses spiked by 43%, note Continue reading >>

Eating whey protein before breakfast could help prevent or control type 2 diabetes, two separate studies by Newcastle University have shown. The findings, which were unveiled at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference, found obese men and males with type 2 diabetes had better blood sugar levels after eating the protein first thing. One of the studies also showed it helped stifle appetite. The first study looked at how 20 grams of the whey protein affected 12 obese men, before they took part in 30 minutes of light walking and then ate a carbohydrate heavy breakfast. The researchers said the combination of the protein and exercise helped control blood sugars. A total of 11 men with type 2 diabetes participated in the second study. They were given 15 grams of whey protein before breakfast and again, their blood sugars remained stable. Lead researcher Dr Daniel West from Newcastle University said: “We know that high blood glucose levels after eating can contribute to poor blood glucose management and can also be detrimental to cardiovascular health. “We’ve shown that consuming small amount of whey protein before a meal could help people avoid those high blood glucose levels and may help them to feel more satisfied after mealtimes.” Diabetes UK’s director of research Dr Elizabeth Robertson said: “Finding ways to keep blood glucose levels as stable as possible after eating is an important area of scientific research, to help people manage their diabetes well. This new research adds to other small scale studies that have promising results. “However, larger scale studies involving a lot more people are needed to test this idea further, so we can understand if anyone with type 2 diabetes would benefit from including whey protein in their diet and how best to do tha Continue reading >>

Among the wide array of protein powders, whey is perhaps most ubiquitous and popular. I’ve long opted for non-soy plant-based proteins because they don’t create potential reactions. With its blend of chlorella, pea, and chia, The Virgin Diet All-in-One Shake helps balance blood sugar to keep you full, focused, and burning fat for hours. Why not whey? After all, with a biological value of 104 [1] – higher than even egg whites – whey has long been the gold standard in protein powders. That’s where its problems begin. Because whey remains a staple among bodybuilders and other athletic folks, manufacturers often mass-produce it cheaply with added preservatives, sweeteners, and artificial flavors. Even high-quality whey isn’t the panacea you might think. One study found whey creates an insulinogenic effect similar to white bread. In other words, whey protein can elevate blood sugar (and subsequently, insulin) levels similarly to a high-carbohydrate food like bread. While elevated insulin might be ideal after a rigorous workout, most folks aren’t using whey as a post-workout glycogen-storing fuel. You’re more likely using it as a meal replacement powder, where whey can become a serious disadvantage. “It just doesn’t keep me full very long,” people often tell me about whey-based meal replacement drinks. Now you know why: Compared with other protein powders, whey absorbs very quickly. Great after a workout, but not so great as a meal-replacement powder where you want a slow-releasing protein to keep you full for hours. Sports nutritionist John Berardi, PhD, notes several other problems with whey. Even though whey is mostly lactose free, even high-quality whey protein can contain traces of this sugar. Dried whey, a common food additive, contains almost 77% l Continue reading >>

Whey protein will help you curb hunger, recover quickly from exercise and lose fat while maintaining muscle, according to the National Dairy Council. Whey is the liquid fraction of protein that is left when removing the curds, or the solids, from dairy. You can use whey protein if you have diabetes. In fact, it may help you gain better control over your blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor before taking whey protein shakes, though, especially if you have diabetes, and don’t stop taking medication that has been prescribed. Video of the Day Whey With Your Meal Test subjects with Type 2 diabetes showed a higher insulin response after eating a carbohydrate-containing meal that included whey protein powder than a similar meal without whey. Researchers mixed the powder into mashed potatoes. The increased insulin response was accompanied by lower post-meal blood sugar levels. This effect has the potential to delay the need for diabetes medications and has not been shown to cause hypoglycemia, reported the researchers in a 2005 issue of the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” Researchers who published a study in 2014 in “Diabetologia” found similar results. Participants had 28 percent lower blood sugar levels and 96 percent higher insulin levels after a high-carbohydrate meal when they drank a whey protein shake beforehand. Look for a whey protein concentrate powder that contains no added sugars. Continue reading >>

How to get protein for diabetics?

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) says that protein is an essential part of a diabetic diet, and it’s needed in the same amounts among people with and without diabetes — and that the best way to get protein is from eating whole foods such as: Advertisement. Lean meat. Poultry.

The study found that adults (without diabetes) ages 50 to 65 who had a diet made up of 20 percent protein or higher were four times more likely to die of cancer over the next 18 years than people on a low-protein diet. And, a high-protein diet was associated with a five-fold increase in death from diabetes.

Some supplements may also interact with diabetes treatments or increase the risk of kidney damage. You may just want to put the brakes on your whey protein shake.

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Some supplements may also interact with diabetes treatments or increase the risk of kidney damage. You may just want to put the brakes on your whey protein shake. Your best bet on a diabetes supplement, such as whey: talk to your doctor or diabetes dietitian.

In a very small September 2017 study in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care , having whey protein before a meal was linked with lower blood sugar spikes by increasing insulin in people with type 2 diabetes. However, the study also found that, in people who were overweight or had high blood fats, blood sugar actually spiked after having whey protein.

Whey protein powder isn ‘t the best source of protein for people with diabetes.

Bottom Line. Although there are many supplements marketed for diabetes, there is not enough evidence to recommend any supplement to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes or help people manage diabetes, says the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

What is whey protein?

Whey protein, a by-product of the cheese-making process, can be used to manipulate gut function in order to slow gastric emptying and stimulate incretin hormone secretion, thereby attenuating postprandial glycaemic excursions. The function of the gastrointestinal tract plays a pivotal role in glucose homeostasis, particularly during the postprandial period, and this review will discuss the mechanisms by which whey protein slows gastric emptying and stimulates release of gut peptides, including the incretins. Whey protein is also a rich source of amino acids, and these can directly stimulate beta cells to secrete insulin, which contributes to the reduction in postprandial glycaemia. Appetite is suppressed with consumption of whey, due to its effects on the gut-brain axis and the hypothalamus. These properties of whey protein suggest its potential in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, the optimal dose and timing of whey protein ingestion are yet to be defined, and studies are required to examine the long-term benefits of whey consumption for overall glycaemic control. Keywords: Whey protein, Postprandial glycaemia, Type 2 diabetes, Dietary intervention, Preload, Gastric emptying, Incretins, Gut hormones, Appetite, Amino acids Core tip: Whey protein, a by-product of cheese-manufacture, shows promise in the dietary management of diabetes. Whey can slow gastric emptying, stimulate insulin and gut hormones including the incretins, and thereby reduce postprandial blood glucose, especially when consumed some minutes before a meal. Whey may also suppress appetite and reduce food intake. This review will sum Continue reading >>

It tells the blood sugar (glucose) where to go. In normal and healthy individuals the glucose fuels your nervous system, red blood cells, brain and muscle tissue. With optimal amounts and good insulin sensitivity, glucose fuels your nervous system and is burned off as energy.

Along with casein, whey is one of the two main proteins found in milk. Eating protein is known to stimulate the production of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that triggers the production of insulin.

This would mean that 100 g of protein could produce ~50 g of glucose. This has been the basis of the statement that if about half of ingested protein is converted to glucose, protein will have one-half the effect of carbohydrate on blood glucose levels.

It’s this rise in blood sugar that triggers the release of the blood-sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. This process is known as an insulin response. This process is crucial because of the delicate balancing act we call blood sugar.

Whey Protein To Prevent After-meal Blood Sugar Spikes? Controlling after-meal blood sugar levels is a continuing battle for many people with diabetes. Now, a small new study from Israel indicates that eating whey protein prior to a meal improves the body’s insulin response and helps control glucose levels after the meal.