Protein intake among patients with diabetes is linked poor glycemic control

Abstract

Background: Nutrition therapy is considered a key component of diabetes management. High-protein diets are recently gaining more popularity. Knowledge regarding the potential glycemic effect of protein in people with type 2 diabetes has been a particular interest. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study based on NHANES data collected on participants aged 40 years and older who attended the surveys cohorts of 2011–2012 and 2013–2014. Data on 1058 participants were included in the analysis. Glycemic control was measured as HbA1c level and patients were categorized into quartiles of daily protein intake. Analysis adjusted for age, gender, race and energy intake muscle strength (quartile), sedentary activity, income to poverty ratio, education, smoking, alcohol drinking and BMI. Logistic regression models were produced to investigate the impact of high protein intakes on odds of poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥ 7). Results : After controlling for muscle strength (quartile), sedentary activity, income to poverty ratio, education, smoking, alcohol drinking and BMI; patients in Quartile 4 for protein intake had 260% increased risk for poor glycemic control as compared to those in quartile 1. These results are limited because the analysis did not consider the source of protein (animal vs plant). Further studies are needed.