Effect of Dairy Protein Yogourt vs Plant-based Yogourt on Body Weight, Body Composition, Bone Health and Gut Microbiota

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Dairy yogurt: Dairy yogurt: two serving daily

Plant based yogurt: Plant based yogurt: two servings daily

No yogurt: No yogurt: zero serving yogurt

Study summary

The consumption of an adequate quantity of protein in the diet is essential to maintain a healthy body composition and functioning. It is also well established that all proteins are not equal regarding their ability to promote health benefits. Recently, we have innovated in that matter by showing that under the context of high intake of dietary fat, the dairy protein casein was more effective than a mix of proteins representative of a western diet to prevent body weight gain and insulin resistance. This was explained in part by modifications of the gut microbiota. This finding represents the main conceptual basis of the present research program that is aimed to determine the impact of dairy protein from yogurt compared to a plant-based equivalent on body composition indicators including muscle mass and bone mineral density, in relation to the profile of the gut microbiota, the production of newly discovered protein-derived metabolites, and markers of metabolic health. This program will include a human and an animal component requiring the testing of these variables before and after a standardized intervention. The human component will be a clinical study consisting of a 12-week diet-based weight loss intervention in postmenopausal overweight women being randomly assigned to one of the three following groups: yogurt, plant-based yogurt, or kept on diet without supplements. The animal experimentation will permit to causally determine the implication of the gut microbiota in the protein effects following transfer of the human bacteria to germ free mice and validate the benefits seen in humans. It is anticipated that these two complementary investigative approaches will allow a thorough documentation of the impact of fermented dairy protein on body composition and functioning, a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and the identification of new biomarkers to better appreciate related health benefits.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in bone health — At baseline and at the end of the intervention (12 weeks)
  Assessment of bone mineral density using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scan
• Change in bone health — At baseline and at the end of the intrevention (12 weeks)
  Assessment of bone turnover biomarkers (osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, Amino terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen) (all in ng\\mL)
• Change in gut microbiota — At baseline and at the end of the intervention (12 weeks)
  Assessment of global variation of the fecal microbiota
• Change in gut microbiota function — At baseline and at the end of the intervention (12 weeks)
  Assessment of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) in feces

Trial sites (1)

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