Macro partitioning
Increasing dietary protein intake alone does not overcome anabolic resistance in T2D, but protein supplementation combined with resistance exercise may improve lean mass gains compared to exercise alone.
For T2D patients, drinking protein shakes alone won't build muscle. However, if you are doing resistance training, adding a protein drink (especially with leucine) alongside your workout can help you gain a bit more lean mass than exercise alone. Aim for adequate daily protein (1.2-1.6 g/kg) and consider post-workout supplementation.
a 13-week RCT found that resistance exercise combined with a protein drink enriched with leucine (3 g) significantly improved gains in total lean mass... when compared to resistance exercise alone in people with T2D
Why this rating
Based on limited RCTs; one study showed benefit, another showed no additional strength benefit.
Source
Are strategies to increase muscle mass and strength as effective in people with type 2 diabetes?
Amina Al-Awadi et al. · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · 2025
DOI 10.1007/s11154-025-09947-8
More from this paper
- Resistance exercise is the most effective lifestyle intervention for increasing muscle strength in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), although it may induce an anabolic resistance regarding muscle mass gains compared to healthy controls.Good
- Pharmacotherapies for T2D and obesity, specifically GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Tirzepatide) and SGLT2 inhibitors, cause significant loss of lean body mass (20-50% of total weight loss), necessitating concurrent resistance exercise and protein intake to mitigate muscle loss.Good
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
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