Nutrients other than carbohydrates: their effects on glucose homeostasis in humans

Abstract

Besides carbohydrates, other nutrients, such as dietary protein and amino acids; the supply of fat, vitamin D, and vitamin K; and sodium intake seem to affect glucose homeostasis. Although their effect is less pronounced than that of the amount and composition of carbohydrates, it seems reasonable to consider how nutrient intake habits may be modified to support an improved glucose homeostasis. For instance, taking into account the effect of some nutrients to lower blood glucose concentration on a day-by-day basis might support improvement of glucose homeostasis in the long run. On the other hand, lowering sodium intake too much, as recommended to avoid the development of hypertension, particularly in sodium-sensitive people, might lead to insulin resistance and thereby might risk increasing fasting as well as postprandial blood glucose concentrations. This review summarizes the state of our knowledge of how several nutrients other than carbohydrates, such as protein, fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, chromium, and sodium, affect blood glucose concentrations. Sufficient evidence exists to show that, in prospective studies based on randomized controlled trials, these selected nutrients affect blood glucose regulation. The review describes potential mechanisms leading to the observed effect. As much as is possible from the available data, the extent of the effect, is considered.

Clinical and Vitamin Response to a Short‐Term Multi‐Micronutrient Intervention in Brazilian Children and Teens: From Population Data to Interindividual Responses

“…25‐OH vitamin D3 has also been implicated in glucose control because of an inverse correlation between plasma levels and impaired glucose tolerance (rev in refs. []). However, supplementing diets with vitamin D with or without calcium produces mixed effects on glucose regulation in healthy individuals or diabetics .…”

Pre-pregnancy dietary micronutrient adequacy is associated with lower risk of developing gestational diabetes in Australian women

“…Few modifiable risk factors for GDM have been identified, but diet has been indicated as one of the most important ones as it is relatively easy to modify [7,8]. Recent reviews have summarized evidence that show there is a relation between diet and the development of glucose intolerance in non-pregnant populations [9][10][11]. Both protective and risk-enhancing associations were observed between different dietary factors and glucose intolerance.…”

Dietary Strategies Implicated in the Prevention and Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

“…Other beneficial effects attributed to moderate-high protein diets in the literature are the improvement of glucose homeostasis [80], the possibility of lower blood lipids [81], the reduction of blood pressure [82], the preservation of lean body mass [83] or the lower of cardiometabolic disease risk [84,85]. However, there are other studies that have not found benefits associated to a moderate-high protein diet [76].…”

“…However, there are other studies that have not found benefits associated to a moderate-high protein diet [76]. This fact may be explained by the different type of proteins and their amino acid composition [80], as well as by the different type of populations included in each study [85]. Therefore, more research in the field is needed in order to make these results consistent.…”