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New research from the University of Alabama in Birmingham suggests that for individuals with Type 2 diabetes, the total amount of weight loss matters more than the specific type of protein in their diet. The study, published in the journal Obesity, involved 106 adults with Type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to either a high-protein or normal-protein diet for a period of 52 weeks. Both diets were calorie-restricted. The high-protein diet recommended incorporating lean beef, while the normal-protein diet advised against consuming red meats.
The findings revealed that both the high-protein diet (comprising 40 percent of total calorie intake from protein) and the moderate-protein diet (with 21 percent of total calories from protein) were equally effective in enhancing glucose control, achieving weight loss, and improving body composition in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Lead author James O Hill, a professor in the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences, and co-author Drew Sayer, PhD, from the UAB Department of Family and Community Medicine, emphasized that when comparing two overall healthy dietary patterns that vary in protein and carbohydrate content, as well as the inclusion or exclusion of lean, minimally processed beef, individuals have some leeway to select a dietary pattern that aligns with their preferences and is likely to be sustainable in the long term.
In this multi-site, randomized controlled trial, 71 participants followed a higher-protein diet, which included four or more 4- to 6-ounce servings of lean beef per week (as the exclusive source of red meat), or a normal-protein diet with no red meat, for a duration of 52 weeks. The high-protein diet consisted of 40 percent protein, 32 percent carbohydrate, and 28 percent fat of total energy, while the normal-protein diet comprised 21 percent protein, 53 percent carbohydrate, and 26 percent fat of total energy (which is higher in protein compared to the typical American diet, where protein intake averages 14-16 percent of total energy). All participants had Type 2 diabetes and followed the State of Slim weight management program, with both diets being calorie-restricted and aligned with food lists for each phase of the SOS program. Additionally, participants gradually increased their exercise regimen to 70 minutes per day, six days a week.
