Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I posted this as an answer to the "whey protein and insulin spike" but then felt it warranted an entirely new question.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/38013/whey-protein-insulin-spikes#axzz1MBwU7G3f

I have an n equals 1 observation that I would love input on especially from the paleo gurus like Dr. K. Quick background, I'm a 30 year old male w/ Type 1 diabetes who still injects insulin instead of using a pump. I have found an over abundance of success w/ paleo+ crossfit 3x a week. Last year dropped 45 lbs and A1c down from 8 to 6. I've lost so much weight and body fat (now 140) people keep asking me if I'm sick. While I understand "bulking" w/ my condition is not advised, I'd love to add 5-10 lbs max over the next year or so. Now for the observation. I've started eating a little bit more protein than normal and started getting what appeared to be unexplained high glucose readings. I discovered that if I eat enough protein I can produce an elevation in my glucose level, usually 2-3 hours later which I assume is due to gluconeogenisis and normal digestion. So my related question here is, the insulin spike is the effect of a glucose spike correct? If so then does it really matter whether the protein is in shake form, eventually the amount of protein is what will elevate glucose and then cause the insulin spike? My thought process is: at times the bodies natural processes are misunderstood until there is a disfunction and then we can see some potentially counterintuitive data. Help me interpret my observation. Am I totally off on this?

edited May 13 2011 at 20:26

Dexter
10.9k●1●12●31

asked May 13 2011 at 19:06

Caveman formally known as Dan
4,853●2●16●53

I've always thought Eating a lot of protein, or taking in processed protein like whey powder, produces an insulin rise due to the body being flooded with amino acids. I didn't know it would raise blood sugar itself. Interesting. Btw, not that I feel eating high protein or whey is bad but I know it affects insulin is all. I eat protein over 1g/lb and take whey for breakfast and immediately PWO. – ben61820 May 13 2011 at 21:25

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Whey is way insulinogenic.......I am not a buyer for anyone much less a diabetic. But I am not your doc. My advice is follow your glucometer to making N-1 decisions. good luck. – The Quilt Jun 25 2011 at 1:53

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I believe stabby has instructed us to call him Dr. Quilt. – No more. Jul 23 2011 at 3:37

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 1 · 2011-07-09 03:19:10Z UTC

It makes sense that milk has insulinotropic effects given that it is designed specifically to spurn growth, increased bodyweight, and tissue development in baby mammals.

GOMAD (Gallon Of Milk A Day) is a c classic weight-gain method for hard-gainers and recently I've added full-fat Greek yogurt and whey protein back into my diet because I can so easily gain weight with these foods (even when completely low/no carb otherwise).

Here are some research papers from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that discuss these very points...

"Inconsistency between glycemic and insulinemic responses to regular and fermented milk products" http://www.ajcn.org/content/74/1/96.abstract

"Effect of whey on blood glucose and insulin responses to composite breakfast and lunch meals in type 2 diabetic subjects" http://www.ajcn.org/content/82/1/69.full

Also, while some hunter gatherer groups DID consume milk (I recently wrote extensively on this subject in Primal Living on the American Plains) it was not an every day, several times a day, staple food. Rather, it was a coveted treat that was consumed when a lactating animal was hunted and the milk bag was removed during slaughter.

Dexter · Answer 2 · 2011-05-13 22:36:30Z UTC

Take a look at Dr Davis about dairy and whey. He is not a fan of whey and dairy because it does engender an insulin spike...because he is concerned that our pancreas may already be overworked and may fail with more insulin spiking from dairy.

Insulin secretagogue

Dairy products, especially milk, whey, and yogurt, are insulin secretagogues: they stimulate pancreatic release of insulin. The effect is likely due to amino acids and/or polypeptides in dairy products.

By conventional wisdom, this may be a good thing, since the excess insulin will blunt the glucose rise after consumption. However, in my book, this is not such a good thing, since most of us have tired, beaten, overworked pancreatic beta cells from our decades of carbohydrate overconsumption. I fear that the effect of dairy products just take us a bit closer to beta cell failure: diabetes.

http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/2011/03/insulin-secretagogue.html

speedy · Answer 3 · 2011-07-09 02:29:36Z UTC

I'm type 1 and ever since starting paleo and attempting to do bodybuilding (really, just lifting a LOT more weights and training differently), I've upped my protein intake.

I now take insulin based on the number of carbs AND protein (not fat) that I'm eating. However, some people do the TAG system - total available glucose - and take all three into account. I'm not specific, I still guess even after 16 years of diabetes. I use a pump and my A1cs aren't great, but I know that protein definitely affects my blood sugars.

KB · Answer 4 · 2011-11-15 12:55:47Z UTC

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Why use whey? Try egg protein powder or one of the vegan protein powders.

Every time I have used whey protein I see a blood glucose spike.

Every time I use egg protein powder (Healthy n Fit Brand) mixed in water,no spike.

answered Nov 15 2011 at 12:55

KB
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Whey Protein + Insulin Spike 2

4 Answers