To understand clearly what whey protein is, one needs to know what whey in its self is. Whey is an essential liquid material, created as a by-product in cheese production from cow’s milk. Whey protein is therefore a globular protein mixture isolated from whey. That is to say, whey is simply a raw material eventually used in making up whey protein powder. Whey protein powder is a compound of globular proteins, it comprises of four major protein fractions, immunoglobulins, serum albumin, alpha lactalbumin, and beta lactoglobumin.

There are a number of different types of whey proteins out there. However, there exist only three major types: Isolate, hydrolysate, and concentrate. Typically, whey protein comes in three major forms, with concentrate (WPC) – having relatively low but significant fat and cholesterol, this form has the highest level of bioactive compounds as well as carbohydrates in lactose form. The second form is the Isolates; they are well processed to remove lactose and fats, they have very low bioactive compounds. The last form is the hydrolysates; they are partially hydrolyzed and pre-digested to ease the process of metabolism. Unfortunately, they are more expensive.

Benefits of Whey Proteins

Whey protein is produced, marketed and taken as a dietary supplement. It is highly attributed to be an alternative medicine in the health sector. It is important in many areas including bodybuilding, muscle protein synthesis as well as the growth of muscle tissues; this is due to its abundance of amino acids e.g. Leucine. In addition, it is essential in wound healing, type 2 diabetes, among others. Finally, whey protein is effective on reducing risks of cancer, and heart disease. However, it is important to note that it has some digestive issues such as bloating, tiredness, irritability, gas, fatigue and cramps. These only occur in a minority of people however.

Whey protein supplements are useful not just for a body builder and a person on a diet. These supplements can be consumed by everyone, as it is a simple additive of protein and it completes your meal. You can take them as a healthy snack or dessert, in the form of a perfectly blended smoothie.

Again whey protein is a by-product of cheese manufacture and it is a very rich source of many amino acids. Since this supplement has low levels of carbohydrate, using this as a low-carb snack on a regular basis, will help you lose weight. It is also rich in antioxidants that help build your immune system.

Since it is a fast digesting protein, it is perfect for consumption before and after workout. The amino acids promote muscle building and prevent muscle breakdown and initiate protein synthesis. The most beneficial aspect of whey protein is that it is known to have anti cancerous properties.

Apart from fulfilling your protein requirements for the day, whey protein has several other benefits. Add it to your diet for an overall improvement in health and well being.

Diet is incredibly important for patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; all patients with diabetes will be offered help and advice with nutrition to ensure that their blood sugar levels are balanced and controlled effectively.

Eating well with type 1 diabetes

It is very important for people with type 1 diabetes to keep an eye on their diet and tailor their diet to suit their condition; this can be challenging at first, but once you get used to it, it will become much easier and there is always help available from your care team.

Having diabetes does not necessarily mean that you need to completely change what you eat it just means that you need to keep an eye on your diet and learn which kinds of foods are best for your health. Learning to eat well can be difficult, especially for people with teenage diabetes, as it can be tempting to indulge in junk food with your friends, but if you are careful, you can eat what you want without paying for it later.

Tips for eating well:

?      Eat three meals a day and never skip meals

?      Include starchy carbohydrates in all your meals; examples include bread, pasta, potatoes and cereals

?      Cut down on saturated fat: you can do this by using margarine instead of butter, trimming the fat off meat, eating low fat dairy foods and grilling, baking and steaming foods instead of frying them

?      Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables

?      Limit your intake of sugary foods

?      Try to eat two portions of oily fish each week; examples include mackerel, salmon, pilchards and sardines

?      Try to eat pulses and lentils

?      Cut down on salt

?      Drink alcohol in moderation

Eating well with type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is commonly linked to obesity and being overweight, which are usually the result of poor eating habits; in many cases, people with type 2 diabetes can reduce their symptoms by switching to a healthy diet, which is low in fatty and salty foods. Adopting a healthy diet and combining this with regular exercise will help you to lose weight, which will be beneficial for your overall health, as well as diabetes.

Tips for eating well:

?      Cut down on salt

?      Limit sugar intake

?      Cut down on saturated fat: use margarine instead of butter, grill and steam foods instead of frying and choose lean meats that are low in fat, such as chicken and turkey

?      Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables (aim for 5 portions per day); this does not mean that you have to eat five separate portions of fruit and vegetables every day, you can also include soups, fruit smoothies, sugar-free fruit juice, sauces and frozen fruit and vegetables in this tally.

?      Choose wholegrain foods, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, wholegrain cereals and wholegrain pasta

?      Eat plenty of fish; fish is low in fat and contains a range of important nutrients and minerals. Aim to eat two portions of oily fish, such as mackerel and sardines, per week.

?      Include beans and pulses in your diet

?      Eat three meals a day; if you get hungry between meals, have a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit

?      Drink plenty of water