Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

The Effects of Milk Protein Versus Soy Protein on Essential Omega-3 Fatty Acid Metabolism

This research looks at how drinking milk protein or soy protein affects your body's levels of important healthy fats called omega-3s (like EPA and DHA). Omega-3s are good for your heart. Some people are reducing dairy, partly due to misunderstandings about its health effects. Researchers believe dairy might actually help your body produce more of these beneficial omega-3s compared to soy. The study will check if milk or soy protein changes how your body creates, uses, and absorbs these fats. The goal is to provide scientific evidence to see if dairy offers an unrecognised health boost, especially for your heart, which could challenge common ideas about dairy and health.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Guelph

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2023

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Nutrition, Healthy

What is this study about?

This study is looking into how different types of protein – specifically milk protein versus soy protein – affect certain healthy fats in your body. These healthy fats are called omega-3 fatty acids, and you might know them as EPA and DHA. They are really important for your overall health, especially for your heart.

Many people in the UK are choosing to eat fewer dairy products and more plant-based options like soy. Sometimes, this is based on ideas about dairy that aren't fully supported by science. The researchers in this study think that dairy might actually have a special benefit that we don't fully understand yet. They believe that milk protein could help your body make more of these beneficial omega-3s compared to soy protein. This could be good news for your heart health.

The main aim is to see if having milk protein or soy protein in your diet changes the levels of EPA and DHA in your blood, how your body creates these fats, how it uses them up, and how you absorb them from your food. The scientists hope their findings will show strong evidence for a previously unknown positive effect of dairy on human health.

Key takeaways

This study compares milk and soy protein's effects on healthy omega-3 fats.
It aims to see if milk protein might boost your body's omega-3 production more than soy.
The research could reveal new health benefits of dairy.
Participants will follow a specific diet (milk protein or soy protein).
It's open to healthy adults aged 18-45 who can consume both dairy and soy.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 45. To take part, you need to be able to eat both dairy and soy foods and drinks comfortably, and have no known allergies or sensitivities to them. You should also be able to understand the study instructions and talk with the research team.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have diabetes, heart disease, certain digestive problems, or an inflammatory condition. You also can't take part if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you regularly eat oily fish or have taken omega-3 supplements in the last three months. People who are taking certain medications for cholesterol or digestion, or who have a very high body mass index (BMI over 35), also won't be suitable.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 45 years old?
Are you generally healthy and don't have conditions like diabetes or heart disease?
Are you able to eat both dairy and soy products without allergies?
Are you not currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
Have you avoided omega-3 supplements and regular oily fish in the last three months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed involvement in this study is not fully outlined in the provided information. However, based on the description, if you qualify, you would be randomly assigned to one of two groups: either a diet containing milk protein (no soy) or a diet containing soy protein (no dairy). You would follow this specific diet for a period. The study would involve tests to measure your blood levels of omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA), how your body makes these fats, how it uses them, and how well you absorb them from your gut. This would likely involve multiple visits to the study clinic for blood samples and other assessments. The total duration is not specified but would involve a dietary intervention and follow-up measurements.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in research can sometimes offer a sense of contributing to scientific knowledge and understanding. While there are no direct medical benefits guaranteed, the findings could ultimately help us understand the role of dairy and soy in health. Potential risks are generally low in nutrition studies but could include discomfort from blood draws or, rarely, unforeseen reactions to the dietary changes, though you'll be monitored closely. You are always free to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (2)

University of Guelph
Verified postcode
Guelph, Canada
Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement
Verified postcode
Sherbrooke, Canada

Common questions

What are omega-3 fatty acids and why are they important?

Omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA are healthy fats important for your body, especially for your heart and brain. We get them from food, and our bodies can also make some of them.

Why are researchers comparing milk and soy protein?

Because many people are choosing plant-based proteins over dairy, researchers want to scientifically compare if milk protein has unique health benefits, especially regarding how our bodies handle healthy omega-3 fats.

Will I have to stop eating dairy or soy if I join?

Yes, if you join, you will be asked to follow a specific diet that either includes milk protein and no soy, or soy protein and no dairy, depending on which group you are assigned to.

What kind of tests will be involved?

The study will likely involve blood tests to measure levels of omega-3 fats and other related substances in your body, to see how your body processes these fats.

Will I know which protein I am consuming during the study?

The study aims to compare specific proteins, so you would be assigned to either the milk protein group or the soy protein group. It's likely you would know which dietary intervention you are following.