Protein in optimal health: heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Diets with increased protein and reduced carbohydrates have been shown to improve body composition, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, and glycemic regulations associated with treatment of obesity and weight loss. Derived from these outcomes, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are also being examined for treatment of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have been found to have positive effects on reducing risk factors for heart disease, including reducing serum triacylglycerol, increasing HDL cholesterol, increasing LDL particle size, and reducing blood pressure. These diets appear particularly attractive for use with individuals exhibiting the atherogenic dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome. High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets have also been investigated for treatment of type 2 diabetes with positive effects on glycemic regulation, including reducing fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose and insulin responses, and the percentage of glycated hemoglobin. Specific effects of increasing protein compared with reducing carbohydrates have not been extensively investigated. Additional research is needed to determine specific levels of protein, carbohydrate, and fat for optimum health of individuals who differ in age, physical activity, and metabolic phenotypes.
Layman
Donald K
DK
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. dlayman@uiuc.edu
Clifton
Peter
P
Gannon
Mary C
MC
Krauss
Ronald M
RM
Nuttall
Frank Q
FQ
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol