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Clinical Trials/NCT07285811
NCT07285811
Recruiting
Not Applicable

Whey Protein Dose-response Effect on Daily Glycaemic Excursions in Very Old Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

University of Birmingham2 sites in 1 country32 target enrollmentStarted: December 1, 2025Last updated:

Overview

Phase
Not Applicable
Status
Recruiting
Enrollment
32
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
Measurement of changes in free-living glycaemic control

Overview

Brief Summary

The goal of this placebo-controlled, partial crossover design study is to identify the impact of consuming whey protein before meals on free-living glucose control in older adults living with type 2 diabetes.

The primary specific objective is to determine the effect of a thrice daily whey protein pre-meal supplementation at two doses, on glucose excursions over a 7-day free-living period in adults aged 75-90 years of age, living with type 2 diabetes, compared with a non-protein placebo.

Participants will consume the whey protein and placebo for 7 days each, before each meal. All participants will consume the placebo and one of two doses of whey protein, in a randomised order.

Detailed Description

Within the study, the researchers will look at the effect of supplemental whey protein at moderate and low doses in comparison to each other and a protein-free placebo on glycaemic control in older adults aged between 75-90 years of age, living with type 2 diabetes.

Glycaemic control (glucose excursions) will be monitored under free-living conditions over a 7-day period using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Participants will be randomised to consume one of the two whey protein doses as well as the protein-free placebo on a separate 7-day period. The order of consuming whey protein or the protein-free placebo will be randomised and counterbalanced. This study is under the evidence that in younger people living with type 2 diabetes, a moderate dose of whey protein improves glucose time in range and lessens extreme postprandial glucose excursions.

Participants will be free to consume their typical diet over this period, where the researchers will provide a diet diary for participants to enter in all foods and drinks they consume over this time period, as well as document the ingestion of the supplement before each main meal.

During an acute feeding period on the first ingestion of each supplement (start of each 7-day phase), the researchers will evaluate rates of gastric emptying, glucose and insulin concentrations and hormonal appetite markers through blood draws, as well as perceived appetite responses through visual analogue scales. This will be in a research kitchen where participants will consume the supplement and a controlled mixed meal afterwards to monitor excursions in appetite response and glycemia. The researchers will also investigate the impact of pre-meal protein feeding on renal markers following each 7-day phase via urine collection.

Study Design

Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Crossover
Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility Criteria

Ages
75 Years to 90 Years (Older Adult)
Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

  • \<75 years old and over 90 years of age
  • Currently on fast-acting insulin therapy (i.e., Humalog)
  • Confirmed uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1C \>10% or 85mmol/mol).
  • Currently on GLP-1 therapy
  • Habitual smoker or vaper
  • Lactose or dairy intolerance
  • Coeliac or gluten intolerance
  • History of gastrointestinal disease
  • Experienced a hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic event requiring treatment in the past 12 months
  • Recent Ischemic stroke (\<3 months).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Measurement of changes in free-living glycaemic control

Time Frame: 7 days, two occasions

Time spent in normal glucose range, under free-living conditions with pre-meal supplementation (measured by continuous glucose monitors)

Changes in postprandial glucose concentrations in blood

Time Frame: 4 hours, two occasions

Amplitude of post-meal blood glucose following supplement(s) and controlled meal

Concentrations of insulin postprandially in blood

Time Frame: 4 hours, two occasions

Insulin appearance in blood following supplement(s) and controlled meal

Secondary Outcomes

  • Concentrations of amino acids postprandially in blood(4 hours, two occasions)
  • Concentrations of postprandial appetite hormones(4 hours, two occasions)
  • Rate of gastric emptying(4 hours, two occasions)
  • Changes in renal function markers after each 7-day phase(2 urine samples, 2 occasions)
  • Assessment of nitrogen balance from urine after each 7-day phase(24 hours, two occasions)
  • Measurement of blood lipid concentration(1 blood draw (obtained from the first blood draw as part of 4 hour visit))
  • Optional qualitative assessment of perceptions to supplementation(60 minutes)

Investigators

Sponsor Class
Other
Responsible Party
Sponsor

Study Sites (2)

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