(P16-005-23) Whey Protein Supplementation and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk Factors: An Umbrella Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objectives: Emerging research onwhey protein (WP) supplementation suggests it may be a potential modifier of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk factors, including glucose control. As systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are gaining importance in nutrition literature, we conducted an umbrella systematic review to search for and chronicle published systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of RCTs pertinent to WP supplementation and T2DM modifiable risk factors.

Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Potentially eligible articles were identified via a systematic search of five electronic health research databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and SPORTDiscus (EBSCO)). Included articles were assessed for quality using the “A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2” (AMSTAR 2) critical appraisal tool.

Results: Thirteen articles, representing 108 unique RCTs, of the 2,205 identified unique articles met the inclusion criteria. The AMSTAR 2 quality assessment of articles deemed nine (69%) as high quality, two (15%) as moderate quality, and two (15%) as low quality. The findings of this umbrella review are from 13 systematic reviews, including 12 meta-analyses, with adult participants predominantly described as apparently healthy, overweight or with obesity, or with metabolic syndrome. Findings indicate WP lowers HbA1c, HOMA-IR, and fasting insulin, along with blood triglycerides and blood pressure. Inconsistent evidence was reported regarding WP’s effects on fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Whey protein did not differentially affect CRP, high-sensitivity CRP, body weight, BMI, or waist circumference, nor did it adversely affect any T2DM risk factors. Information regarding WP dose, duration, or types was insufficient to draw conclusions.

Conclusions: Collectively, a preponderance of evidence indicates whey protein supplementation improves multiple clinical indicators of glucose control in apparently healthy adults and those at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Funding Sources: Whey Protein Research Consortium