Diet Intervention
Researchers at the University of Connecticut are evaluating the effects of a diet intervention on blood cholesterol levels, inflammation, and gut bacteria.
Fast Facts
Overweight
Ages 18-70
Compensation Provided
Conducted in Storrs, CT
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Connecticut are investigating the effects of milk polar lipids on cardiometabolic (“heart-related”) risk factors.
We want to test whether consuming milk polar lipids, a type of milk fat, has any positive effects on blood cholesterol levels, inflammation, gut bacteria, and other “heart-related” risk factors. Understanding the potential benefits of dairy products on these factors could help us identify a way to lower the chronic disease risk with which they are associated.
Participants in our study will consume a dairy powder as a beverage every day during the 8-week diet intervention. In addition, they will complete surveys about diet and physical activity as well as provide blood and stool samples.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of Connecticut are investigating the effects of milk polar lipids on cardiometabolic (“heart-related”) risk factors.
We want to test whether consuming milk polar lipids, a type of milk fat, has any positive effects on blood cholesterol levels, inflammation, gut bacteria, and other “heart-related” risk factors. Understanding the potential benefits of dairy products on these factors could help us identify a way to lower the chronic disease risk with which they are associated.
Participants in our study will consume a dairy powder as a beverage every day during the 8-week diet intervention. In addition, they will complete surveys about diet and physical activity as well as provide blood and stool samples.
Additional Information
Through this research, we aim to determine whether consuming milk polar lipids can have a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition. In the long term, we hope that this can help us understand the health effects of dairy products in relation to chronic disease risk.
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 18-70
- Overweight
- Willing to consume study-provided dairy products daily
- Willing to provide blood and stool samples throughout the study
- Waist circumference/size ≥ 35 inches for women, ≥ 40 inches for men
- Experience high cholesterol
The total time commitment for our study will be approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes.
Throughout the course of the study, you will attend 6 visits. The first is a 45-minute screening where you will learn about the study, provide basic medical history, and do a finger prick blood test. Then, throughout the 8-week diet intervention, you will come in person twice at weeks 2 and 6 to pick up the dairy powder (approximately 10 minutes each time). You will also attend baseline (week 0), midpoint (week 4), and endpoint (week 8) visits lasting approximately 45 minutes each. Because blood samples will be collected, you will need to fast for the 12 hours prior to these visits.
In addition, you will fill out questionnaires, diet records, and physical activity diaries at various points during the study. We anticipate that the total time commitment for these activities will be approximately 3 hours over the 8 weeks.
Participants can receive up to $250 in the form of a prepaid debit card. $125 will be added to the card at the midpoint visit (week 4) and again at the endpoint visit (week 8). Anyone who withdraws from the study will be paid a prorated amount based on the portion of the study they completed.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
