Effects of whey protein supplementation on clinical outcomes and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic outpatients at public health center 66, health department, Bangkok metropolitan administration

Abstract

This study examined the effects of whey protein isolate (WPI) supplementation on clinical outcomes and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients at Public Health Center 66. The subjects (n = 36) received nutrition counseling and were randomly assigned into 2 groups: treatment group supplemented with 30 gram per day of WPI for 6 weeks and control group. Fasting blood biochemistry, anthropometry, and blood pressure were examined at baseline and week 6 of the study. The results demonstrated that at week 6 of the study the levels of glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin HbA1c , insulin resistance assessed by the homeostasis model assessment’method , total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change from baselines in both groups, and no significant differences between groups were observed. However, after WPI supplementation the subjects in the treatment group had significant reduction in triglyceride levels (p = 0.043), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.002), body weight (p = 0.043), and body mass index (p = 0.043), when compared with baselines, but there were no significant differences in these parameters between groups. WPI was generally well tolerated by most subjects, and no serious adverse effects were observed throughout the supplementation period. Three of eighteen subjects (16.67%) had mild flatulence during WPI supplementation. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were significantly increased in the treatment group when compared with baseline and between groups, whereas serum creatinine level did not change. These suggested that an increase in BUN might be due to higher protein intake during the supplementation period. This study indicated that short-term WPI supplementation did not affect blood glucose level and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. However, it may be beneficial for controlling of blood triglyceride, blood pressure and body weight.