The influence of mealtime whey protein in people with diabetes.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of residual beta-cell function on the glucose-lowering potential of mealtime whey protein supplementation in people with diabetes.
IRAS ID
277964
Contact name
Daniel J West
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), consuming whey protein (WP) before a meal reduces blood glucose concentrations in the period that follows eating potentially by increasing the amount of insulin and gut hormones that are released and by slowing down digestion. Yet, studies to date have investigated mealtime WP in a group of people that do not represent the wider T2D population. Thus, it is not yet known who may truly benefit from this nutritional strategy, and its exact mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated. Accordingly, this study, funded by Arla Foods Ingredients Group P/S (Denmark) from a grant awarded to Newcastle University, aims to examine the role of residual beta-cell function on the glucose-lowering potential of pre-meal WP in people with diabetes.
Individuals with T2D treated by diet and lifestyle modifications and/or metformin (group 1), or basal insulin therapy (group 2) will be recruited into a randomised-control, crossover intervention. To test the insulin-independent mechanisms of mealtime WP, an additional group of absolute insulin deficient individuals will be recruited (group 3). Each group will have 18 participants.
1. Insulin-independent T2D with high residual beta-cell function.
2. Insulin-dependent T2D with clinical levels of residual beta-cell function.
3. Individuals with type 1 diabetes with no residual beta-cell function.Patients will attend the Clinical Research Facility, Newcastle upon Tyne, a total of 4 times over a 3-week period. On visit’s 1 and 3, patients will be provided with written and verbal instructions prior to subsequent visits. Mixed-meal tests will occur on visit’s 2 and 4, where a small WP or CONTROL beverage will be consumed before a breakfast meal. Blood and breath samples will be measured over 3h. Physical activity, dietary intake and glycaemic control will be monitored prior to each mixed-meal test. A 7day washout will separate each test.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0005
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion