Abstract

For a few years, there has been increasing interest in the complexities of how food can interplay with the signalling networks underlying the physiological control of energy balance in mammals. Among dairy proteins, whey proteins have been raising notable interest for their nutritional value, the way they are digested and absorbed and for their impact on metabolic health. Considerable attention is being paid to the effects of whey protein supplements on glycaemic control for their possible application in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Enteric hormones most likely play an important role in the cross-talk between whey proteins and the signalling networks underlying the physiological control of energy balance in mammals.

INTRODUCTION

The estimate of adult people worldwide living with diabetes is projected to rise to about 600 million in the next twenty years. It is generally accepted that effective strategies for the prevention and the management of diabetes has become necessary to face the global epidemic. An unhealthy diet has a great impact on metabolic health, especially with respect to the risk of development of weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is an adult-onset metabolic disease caused by decreased sensitivity of skeletal muscles, adipose tissue and liver to insulin and altered insulin secretion, which lead to impaired blood glucose control. The primary pathogenic event in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes is a chronic excess in calorie balance as a result of changes in dietary patterns and decreased physical activity. Excess adiposity shown by body mass index and waist circumference is recognised as the strongest risk factor for diabetes (1,2).
For a few years, there has been increasing interest in the complexities of how food can interplay with the signalling networks underlying the physiological control of energy balance in ...