By Isagenix Nutritional Sciences
Isagenix IsaLean® Bars lovers who were pleased to learn earlier this year that flavors Lemon Passion Crunch and Chocolate Decadence didn’t spike blood sugar in a clinical study will be glad to know that a new study has been completed for the other two flavors.
The results are in: IsaLean Bar Chocolate Cream Crisp and Chocolate Peanut Crunch flavors maintain normal blood sugar levels (normal plasma glucose) when compared to standard controls.
Results from both studies, performed by researchers at Brigham Young University, confirm that all IsaLean Bars flavors are low glycemic—glycemic effect is a measure of how a particular food affects blood glucose (blood sugar) levels (1 & 2).
“Once again, we’re showing that a delicious bar can still be good for you,” said Chief Science Officer Suk Cho, Ph.D. “IsaLean bars make a wonderful weight-management tools because they are high in protein and deliver a complete, nutritious meal in minimal calories.”
Study Design
In the latest study, the scientists used the same cross-over design as the previous study. They tested blood glucose response in each subject after eating the bars or the standard control (white bread) at the same time in the morning on three different occasions with a two-day washout period between tests.
Using internationally accepted standard protocol, the scientists evaluated the effect of the bars on glucose levels over a two-hour period. Each time blood was taken and analyzed for glucose before the subjects ate the test food and then at intervals (15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes).
The 13 subjects in the study fasted and abstained from rigorous exercise for 12 hours prior to testing; each participant acted as his or her own control by testing the bars or control food (bread) in a random order.
After a meal including carbohydrates, plasma glucose (blood sugar) levels are expected to rise in a healthy adult and then return to a “normal” range between 5.5 to 6.6 millimoles per liter, or 100 to 120 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml). The IsaLean Bars maintained normal levels of plasma glucose levels at each testing period.
“These findings show that it’s indeed possible to create tasty, healthy meal-replacement bars that are low glycemic without use of artificial sweeteners,” said Director of Research and Science Susie Rockway, Ph.D., CNS. “The area under the curve was significantly less than equal amount of carbohydrate provided in the white bread, which is the gold standard for testing glycemic effects.”
High-protein, Low-glycemic Bars
With the prevalence of obesity in developed countries, meal-replacement bars have gained popularity as a weight-management aid. Use of conventional diet plans and meal replacements can lead to nutrient gaps in the diet. Meal replacement bars are an easy and convenient solution to manage portion control.
However, the majority of bars currently in the marketplace are comprised chiefly of fat and carbohydrates or are high-protein bars using inferior components—including poor-quality protein sources—and are often sweetened or flavored with artificial ingredients.
IsaLean Bars are superior in quality and nutrient density compared to other bars, not to mention an excellent alternative to high-calorie, nutrient-lacking fast foods like the typical hamburger, French fries, and soft drink.
Each IsaLean Bar contain 18 grams of appetite-satisfying protein based on New Zealand whey. Because of the whey’s high concentration of branched-chain amino acids, several studies have found it superior to other protein sources for triggering muscle growth or maintenance (3-5). Consuming high-quality protein throughout the day, especially at breakfast, is important for slowing down muscle loss associated with age (sarcopenia) (6).
In addition, IsaLean Bars provide proper macro nutrients with balanced sources of healthy fats and energy-boosting carbohydrates, and provides the necessary full-spectrum of vitamins and minerals. The bars are all-natural, containing no artificial flavors or colors.
Finally, Isagenix customers can take comfort that all IsaLean Bars will not compromise blood sugar. As confirmed by these controlled studies, the meal replacements are a delicious, guilt-free pleasure that can simply be enjoyed without worry.
References
1. Radulian G, Rusu E, Dragomir A, Posea M. Metabolic effects of low glycaemic index diets. Nutr J 2009;8:5.
2. Brouns F, Bjorck I, Frayn KN et al. Glycaemic index methodology. Nutr Res Rev 2005;18:145-71.
3. Phillips SM. The science of muscle hypertrophy: making dietary protein count. Proc Nutr Soc 2011;70:100-3.
4. Phillips SM, Tang JE, Moore DR. The role of milk- and soy-based protein in support of muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein accretion in young and elderly persons. J Am Coll Nutr 2009;28:343-54.
5. Norton LE, Layman DK, Bunpo P, Anthony TG, Brana DV, Garlick PJ. The leucine content of a complete meal directs peak activation but not duration of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in rats. J Nutr 2009;139:1103-9.
6. Paddon-Jones D, Rasmussen BB. Dietary protein recommendations and the prevention of sarcopenia. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2009;12:86-90.