About Me

Matt Murray is co-owner and manager for GreenAcres Market in Wichita, Kansas. From 1996 until 2002 Matt was co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show, HealthTalk with Shannon and Matt. Current activities involve writing health-related articles for local magazines and newspapers, seminars and speaking engagements.

Active in lobbying for the natural products industry in Washington, D.C., Matt was president of Rocky Mountain Nutritional Foods Association and a member of the national board for NNfA from 2002 through 2006.

Consumer education, advertising and promotions are the key elements for store growth so he spends time on newsletter development and in-store activities.

Whey Protein helps Balance Blood Sugar

October 09, 2006

In a recent study, whey increased insulin and reduced blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, resulting in better energy balance. Type 2 non-insulin-dependent diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is technically not a disease but the consequence of exercising too little and eating too much refined carbohydrates and sugars. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels.

In the study, 14 subjects with type 2 diabetes ate a typical high-carbohydrate breakfast of white bread, followed by a high-carbohydrate lunch of mashed potatoes and meatballs. On one day, researchers added 27.6 grams of whey powder mixed in water to both meals. On another day, participants ate the same meals, adding lean ham and instead of the whey supplement, a placebo of lactose dissolved in water.

On the days, researchers took blood samples before, during and four hours after lunch. Insulin production was 31% higher after breakfast and 57% higher after lunch on the whey days compared to placebo days and blood sugar levels were 21% lower after the whey lunch compared to the placebo lunch. These results suggest that type 2 diabetics may be able to better control blood sugar by using a whey supplement at mealtimes.

In order to understand the impact of food on blood sugar, nutritionists are beginning to use the glycemic index (GI), which measures how quickly different foods increase blood sugar levels. Foods with a high GI score tend to break down quickly and release sugar into the bloodstream in one big burst rather than more slowly and steadily over a longer period of time. Nutritionists believe that eating fewer refined carbohydrates and sugars, exercising more and taking a regular vitamin supplement lower risk for adult-onset diabetes.

Reference: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 2005, vol. 82, No. 1, 69-75.