If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or you have a predisposition for developing the disease later, you will likely do everything in your power to either control the disease or possibly reverse it, depending on your particular situation. With consistent studies, new drugs, and new foods becoming available, experts are learning more and more ways to combat the disease. Read on to learn about one of the newest studies on the link between protein meal replacements and diabetes and how this information can help you.
A Pilot Study on Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Keep in mind while reading the following information that the study is just a pilot, meaning that it is the first of its kind and if the results are positive, there will likely be more to follow. This pilot study was performed on patients with type 2 Diabetes, and was performed to determine if there is a link between blood sugar levels and protein-rich meal replacements. Since this was the pilot study, it only followed 22 diabetes patients instead of the higher numbers that larger, more thorough clinical studies follow. Not only was a it a low number of patients in the study, but they were also followed for only a 14-week period. However, the results of this first study were positive, which means there will be more in-depth, long-term studies to follow that will better determine the link between protein-rich meal replacements and better glucose control – in fact, scientists are gearing up for a study in Germany that will consist of hundreds of diabetes patients to determine real results.
The Results and Link Between Diabetes and Protein Meal Replacements
In this pilot study, which was presented to the American Diabetes Association, over half of the people involved saw benefits by replacing meals with a specific protein-rich meal replacement. The benefits seen included losing weight, lowering BMI (body mass index), insulin dosages were able to be lowered, fasting glucose levels were lower, along with many other beneficial side effects. While the actual protein meal replacement that was used in the study was the brand Almased, there are many comparable products available on the market as well. Extend Bar Extend Shakes offer the same gluten-free, low fat, low carb, high protein meal replacement option as the brand used in the pilot study.
If you want to try to use a great meal replacement to try to regulate blood sugar levels, Extend Bar Extend Shakes are a great option. With many different flavors to choose from, you are sure to find one that will work for you. To attempt to see similar results as patients in the study (but of course it is important to consult your physician first), you would need to replace all meals with a protein-rich meal replacement for the first week. For the next three weeks, you would want to replace two meals a day with a protein meal replacement, and then just one a day for the rest of the time. Whatever brand you choose to use, be sure it is glucose-free and low in carbs and high in protein, otherwise you won’t likely see the same blood sugar regulation as the study showed.
Thanks for reading our article! If you want to try your own protein-rich meal replacement diet to help manage your diabetes, visit our website at Linda’s Diet Delites for great prices! Be sure to check with your doctor first!