Effects of Lean Pork Loin Intake on Protein Homeostasis and Glucose Regulation in Prediabetic Adults

Effects of Lean Pork Loin Intake on Protein Homeostasis and Glucose Regulation in Prediabetic Adults

We will be directly comparing a high-quality protein diet composed primarily of lean pork loin (PORK) to a lower-quality plant-based protein diet (PLANT) in individuals with prediabetes on muscle and whole-body protein turnover and glucose regulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1. Males and females ages 40-65 years.
• 2. BMI 25 to ≤40 kg/m2 (or body fat % ≥25% in males or ≥36% in females)
• 3. Capable of providing informed consent.
• 4. COVID-19 negative and/or asymptomatic.
• 5. Willing to abstain from drinking alcohol or consuming marijuana and CBD products during the 4-day study meal period
• 6. HbA1c: 5.7-6.4% or fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1. Participant who does not/will not eat animal protein sources.
• 2. Allergy to wheat, soy, or common ingredients in plant-based protein products.
• 3. Body mass index <25 kg/m2 or >40 kg/m2.
• 4. Hemoglobin <10g/dL at screening.
• 5. Platelets <150,000/uL at screening.
• 6. History of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer in the 6 months prior to enrollment.
• 7. History of gastrointestinal bypass/reduction surgery.
• 8. Pregnant or lactating individuals.
• 9. History of a chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. Lupus, Crohn's disease)
• 10. Currently receiving androgen (e.g., testosterone) or anabolic (e.g., GH, IGF-I) therapy.
• 11. Currently using prescription blood thinning medications.
• 12. Currently using corticosteroid medications (cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, etc.).
• 13. Unable or unwilling to suspend aspirin use for 7 days prior to Visit 3 and Visit 7.
• 14. Unwilling to avoid using protein or amino-acid supplements during participation.
• 15. Unwilling to fast overnight.
• 16. Unwilling to avoid alcohol, marijuana and CBD products for the four study days.
• 17. Participants on glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1-RA) medications for <1 month or with less than one treatment dose (injection) every two weeks