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New study:
High- vs. normal-protein diet for six months.
Both diets produced similar weight loss.
But the high-protein diet produced dramatically better outcomes for blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, & lean body mass.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0939475320305044
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High- vs. normal-protein diet for six months.
Both diets produced similar weight loss.But the high-protein diet produced dramatically better outcomes for blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, & lean body mass.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0939475320305044
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Here is the main table:
Similar weight loss, but the high-protein diet group saw an INCREASE in lean body mass while the normal-protein group saw a decrease.
HbA1c improvements were better. So was beta-cell function, blood glucose, hsCRP, and cytokines.
Similar weight loss, but the high-protein diet group saw an INCREASE in lean body mass while the normal-protein group saw a decrease.
HbA1c improvements were better. So was beta-cell function, blood glucose, hsCRP, and cytokines.
Basically, the high-protein diet did better at all the things.
True, there were only 12 completers in each group (and similar dropouts), but these results are consistent with previous literature showing similar effects from high-protein diets.
True, there were only 12 completers in each group (and similar dropouts), but these results are consistent with previous literature showing similar effects from high-protein diets.
What drives these effects?
Well, the increase in lean body mass is likely in part due to a gain in muscle mass--an important marker of health.
But the changes in inflammation are probably driven by a drop in visceral body fat (the body fat inside the body and organs).
Well, the increase in lean body mass is likely in part due to a gain in muscle mass--an important marker of health.
But the changes in inflammation are probably driven by a drop in visceral body fat (the body fat inside the body and organs).
High-protein diets have been shown many times to produce improvements in body composition and a reduction in visceral and liver fat compared to low-protein diets.
Improvements in insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, beta-cell function are all likely due to the same improvements in visceral body fat. Consistent with this, a drop in visceral body fat is thought by scientists to be the main driver of diabetes reversal. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwnclacuk/newcastlemagneticresonancecentre/files/banting-memorial-lecture.pdf
Some have interpreted this study to mean that because carbohydrate was replaced with protein, this supports low-carbohydrate diets. But similar effects would have probably been seen if replacing fat with protein.
But this needs to be studied.
But this needs to be studied.
This study also suggests that we should care more about actual outcomes than about theoretical mechanisms like mTOR activation (mechanisms are hypothesis-generating and should never be the basis of recommendations).
Concluding details for nerds:
• All subjects were prediabetic and obese.
• All food was provided weekly to subjects and adherence was measured via self-report.
• Both diets were calorie-restricted and aimed for similar weight loss.
• All subjects were prediabetic and obese.
• All food was provided weekly to subjects and adherence was measured via self-report.
• Both diets were calorie-restricted and aimed for similar weight loss.
• Unsaturated fat was the main fat type.
• Carbohydrates were mainly whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Carbohydrates were mainly whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
• Oh, the diets were 30/30/40 vs 15/30/55 protein/fat/carbohydrate.
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