High protein diets better at fatloss in type 2 diabetes
15 March 2002
High-protein diets are more effective than low-protein diets in reducing fat mass in women who have type 2 diabetes, an Australian study has found.
'What this means is rather than telling women with diabetes to eat lots of breads, cereals, fruits, pasta, rice and not much fat, we may be able to substitute those foods with lean meats and very low-fat dairy products,' said Dr Manny Noakes, study author and, senior dietitian and research scientist with CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition.
A total of 54 people with type 2 diabetes were involved in the 8-week study.
While on the high-protein diet (see below), women lost significantly more total fat than those on the low-protein diet (5.3 kg compared to 2.8 kg). They also lost more abdominal fat (1.3 kg versus 0.7 kg).
'We shouldn't be completely negative about high-protein diets,' Dr Noakes said.
'We found that they were well-tolerated and that there were no adverse effects in the short and medium-term.'
But according to Mr Alan Barclay, the research and development manager for the NSW branch of Diabetes Australia, adverse effects do not present until high-protein diets are used for longer periods.
In the short term it can produce weight loss, no problems, but in the long term, there is a fair degree of evidence that high-protein diets decrease renal functioning,' he said, 'even in healthy people.'
Daily requirements of the high-protein diet
- 1 Weetbix
- 250 mL milk (1 per cent fat)
- 30 g skim milk powder
- 200 g fruit yoghurt (0.1 per cent fat)
- 2 slices wholemeal bread
- 2 small pieces of fruit
- 200 g meat, fish or chicken
- up to 2 and half cups of low calorie vegetables
- 60 g cheese (3 per cent fat)
- 2 tsp Canola lite margarine
- 3 tsp Sunola oil
- 3 shortbread biscuits.
Last Reviewed: 22 March 2002
- Medical Observer Weekly 15/03/02
