Milk Proteins, Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Vascular Function

Investigating the Acute and Chronic Effects of Dietary Proteins on Markers of Vascular Function, Ambulatory Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance and Lipid Metabolism.

Epidemiological studies demonstrated an inverse associations between cardiovascular events and milk and dairy product consumption. Evidence from human intervention studies suggests that both whey and casein may be effective in blood pressure-lowering, however there is limited data on the impact of milk proteins on vascular function. This research aims to compare the potential acute and chronic impacts of the two main milk proteins (whey and casein) with maltodextrin on blood pressure and vascular function. Furthermore, the effects of these proteins on the markers of insulin resistance, lipid metabolism and inflammatory status will also be investigated in 'at-risk' individuals.

This research includes both an acute and chronic intervention study which have been independently powered on the appropriate outcome measures. This has generated different sample size requirements for the two studies (Actual participants on the acute study: n=27, and on the chronic study: n=38).

Inclusion Criteria:

• A signed consent form
• Blood pressure: 120/80-159/99
• Age: 30-77 years
• BMI 20-40 kg/m2
• Glucose <7 mmol/l (Not diagnosed with diabetes)
• Chol <8 mmol/l
• TAG <4 mmol/l
• Normal liver and kidney function
• Haemoglobin (>110 g/dl women; 140g/dl men)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Milk allergy, lactose allergy
• Coeliac disease
• Renal, gastrointestinal, respiratory, endocrine, liver disease or cancer
• Surgery in the previous 6 months
• Secondary hypertension
• Excess alcohol consumption (drinking >28 unit/wk man; >21 unit/wk women)
• Smoker
• Vegan
• Taking nutritional supplementation (e.g. fish oil, proteins)
• Anaemia