Beneficial effects of high protein diet in treatment of mild diabetes

The effects of a high protein diet on blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in mild diabetic patients were investigated. Fifteen untreated diabetic patients were given a balanced diet for ten days; they were then divided into two groups: nine received a high protein diet for eight days while the other six received a high carbohydrate diet for the same period. At the beginning of the study, blood glucose rose significantly following oral glucose loading, while an impaired insulin response was observed. After the balanced diet period, fasting blood glucose decreased significantly and the insulin response improved slightly. Following the high protein diet, glucose intolerance was abated considerably and the insulin response was augmented significantly, however, following the high carbohydrate diet there was no significant difference in glucose or insulin response to oral glucose loading from the measurements taken after the balanced diet period. The high protein diet produced a relative improvement in plasma insulin responses for the blood glucose levels attained following the meal. It was concluded that a high protein diet is a beneficial therapy for mild diabetic patients.