Carbohydrates are the principal driver of insulin secretion, facilitating the uptake and metabolism of this macronutrient. However, a recent study found that fats and proteins also stimulate insulin secretion, potentially affecting people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers collected pancreatic islet cells responsible for insulin secretion from 140 donors after their deaths. About half of the donors had type 2 diabetes. They exposed the cells to carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and assessed insulin secretion.
They found that most donors' islet cells exhibited a robust insulin response to carbohydrates, a moderate response to protein, and a low response to fat. However, some donors' cells elicited responses to protein (9%) and fat (8%) greater than their response to carbohydrates. Cells from donors with type 2 diabetes exhibited diminished responses to carbohydrates and fats, but their protein response was preserved.
These findings suggest that insulin responses to macronutrients differ among individuals, with some preferentially responding to proteins and fats over carbohydrates. They also suggest that higher protein diets could benefit people with type 2 diabetes. Some evidence suggests that current guidelines for protein intake are too low, with implications for people more responsive to protein. Learn more about protein requirements in this clip featuring Dr. Stuart Philips.