Whey protein and dairy products tend to get negative press from integrative practitioners because of the "insulin-promoting" effects of whey. Interestingly, it is exactly this "insulin promoting" effect that creates positive post-parandial glucose changes in diabetic patients and likely contributes to the preservation of lean tissue in diabetic patients during dieting. 

In this podcast we discuss an article by Memelink (2020) on the use of a Whey protein drink daily and after exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes and the impact the intervention had on HOMA-IR scores and lean tissue. 

We also discuss an article by Smith (2020) and Miller (2021) and how these three articles contribute to our current understanding of using Whey protein in diabetic patients. 

Memelink, R. G. et al. Effect of an Enriched Protein Drink on Muscle Mass and Glycemic Control during Combined Lifestyle Intervention in Older Adults with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind RCT. Nutrients 13, 64 (2020).   Miller, E. G. et al. Effects of whey protein plus vitamin D supplementation combined with progressive resistance training on glycaemic control, body composition, muscle function and cardiometabolic risk factors in middle‐aged and older overweight/obese adults with type 2 diabetes: A 24‐week randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Obes Metabolism 23, 938–949 (2021).   Smith, K., Davies, K. A. B., Stevenson, E. J. & West, D. J. The Clinical Application of Mealtime Whey Protein for the Treatment of Postprandial Hyperglycaemia for People With Type 2 Diabetes: A Long Whey to Go. Frontiers Nutrition 7, 587843 (2020).