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Effects of Quality and Quantity of Protein Intake for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Metabolic Control

  • Diabetes and Obesity (CB Chan, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this review is to evaluate the ideal protein quality and quantity and the dietary composition for the prevention and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Introduction

Although some reviews demonstrate the advantages of a diet with a higher protein intake, other reviews have observed that a diet high in carbohydrates, with low-glycaemic index carbohydrates and good fibre intake, is equally effective in improving insulin sensitivity.

Methods

Over 2831 articles were screened, and 24 from the last 5 years were analysed and summarised for this review, using the protein, diabetes and insulin glucose metabolic keywords in Pubmed in June 2019.

Results

Eleven studies demonstrate that a higher consumption of proteins has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity. A higher intake of animal protein seems to be related to an increased risk of T2DM. Four studies show that consumption of meat has a deleterious effect. Higher intake of plant protein and dairy products is associated with a modestly reduced risk.

Discussion

Based on the results obtained, for the prevention of T2DM and all disorders related to metabolic syndrome, no ideal dietary composition has yet been found. The advantage of plant protein sources may be related to the foods’ low-glycaemic index due to the high fibre content. However, the right protein quality (animal and plant) and the quantity for T2DM prevention and metabolic control are unclear and need to be investigated with further long-term studies.

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Abbreviations

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

IR:

Insulin resistance

IS:

Insulin sensitivity

GI:

Glycaemic index

RCT:

Randomised controlled trial

MetS:

Metabolic syndrome

CD:

Cardiovascular disease

HP:

High-protein diets

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, 00166, Rome, Italy

    Mauro Lombardo, Cristian Moletto, Giovanni Aulisa, Elvira Padua, David Della-Morte, Massimiliano Caprio & Alfonso Bellia

  2. Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Molecular Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Chiara Bellia

  3. The Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    David Della-Morte

  4. Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,”, Rome, Italy

    David Della-Morte & Alfonso Bellia

  5. Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy

    Massimiliano Caprio

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  1. Mauro Lombardo
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Contributions

Substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data or analysis and interpretation of data: ML, CM, GA, and AB. Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content: ML, CB, EP, DDM, MC, and AB. Final approval of the version to be published by all authors.

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Correspondence to Mauro Lombardo.

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Lombardo, M., Bellia, C., Moletto, C. et al. Effects of Quality and Quantity of Protein Intake for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Metabolic Control. Curr Nutr Rep 9, 329–337 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-020-00324-2

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