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Can Eating Meat Give You Type 2 Diabetes?

Don Colbert, MD July 27, 2017

The type of dietary protein that you choose to eat may affect your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a condition characterized by dangerously elevated blood sugar levels due to poor utilization of insulin.

The British Journal of Nutrition published a recent study in which scientists compared the effect of plant protein and animal protein on the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.

The Study

Although the study was published in 2017, it began with data collection from 1984-1989. Researchers followed the diets of 2,332 men between the ages of 42 and 60 who did not have type 2 diabetes.

During 19 years of follow-up, 432 of the men were diagnosed with diabetes.

The results of the study suggest that consumption of high levels of animal-based protein is associated with greater risk for developing the type 2 diabetes, while a diet high in plant-based protein is associated with lower risk.

In fact, the participants who ate the most plant-based protein had up to a 35% reduced risk compared to those who ate more animal protein.

Those who ate plant-based protein also had lower average fasting glucose levels.

Interestingly, egg protein was also associated with lower risk.

The Explanation

Despite these numbers, the researchers concluded that it was not the animal protein itself that is causing blood sugar issues.

The theory is that other compounds, such as hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, and preservatives found in most processed meat products are to blame for the health consequences observed in this study.

Should You Stop Eating Meat?

Not necessarily.

It is likely the chemicals associated with industrial meat production and processing that are the source of the blood sugar dysregulation observed in the study.

Therefore, if you are going to consume meat, it is important to find grass-fed and pasture raised meats whenever possible. Fresh and humanely raised meat products are more delicious and help to ensure that your meat is not tainted with dangerous chemicals. Avoid industrially processed meat due to the fact that is often loaded with preservatives, added sugar, and other unwanted ingredients.

If low-quality meat products are all you have access to, then it is probably best to opt for plant-based proteins.

For easy and delicious plant-based protein on the go, try Divine Health’s award winning Fermented Protein Supremefood today!

References

1. https://lifespa.com/animal-vs-plant-based-protein-balance-blood-sugar/
2. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-04-protein-diabetes-meat-eaters-greater.html
3. http://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/warning-to-meat-eaters-plant-protein-may-protect-against-type-2-diabetes
4. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170419091654.htm
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28397639

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Don Colbert, MD

Don Colbert, MD, has been board-certified in family practice and in anti-aging and integrative medicine for more than 25 years. He is the medical director of the Divine Health Wellness Center, where he has treated more than 50,000 patients, and a New York Times bestselling author of books including The Seven Pillars of Health, What Would Jesus Eat?, Deadly Emotions and Keto Zone Diet, with more than ten million books sold. He hosts Dr. Colbert's Broadcast with his wife Mary and son Kyle, where faith meets functional medicine. He and Mary live in Orlando, Florida and Dallas, Texas.

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