Effect of Whey Protein on Blood Pressure

The purpose of this study is to determine if consumption of whey protein, compared with soy protein or a carbohydrate food decreases blood pressure along with reducing risk factors for heart disease.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: High Blood Pressure
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Whey Protein; Dietary supplement: Soy Protein; Dietary supplement: Control (carbohydrate)

Detailed Description

Several lines of evidence suggest that consumption of dairy foods, and specifically whey protein, may reduce blood pressure. This proposed study is designed investigate the effect of whey protein compared to another protein source.

Since blood pressure is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease, if there is clear evidence that whey protein reduces blood pressure, dietary recommendations may be made regarding whey protein intake. However, dietary recommendations to consume whey protein as a means to improve health status must be science-based. Results from this study will provide a scientific basis for dietary recommendations regarding whey protein intake.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 35
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Beltsville, Maryland, United States, 20705
      • USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 28 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 25 and 42 kg/m2
• Fasting glucose < 126 mg/dl
• Blood pressure > 120/80 and < 160/100 mm Hg [based two measurements collected on separate days]

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of prescription or over-the-counter medications that alter blood pressure.
• Presence of kidney disease, liver disease, gout, certain cancers, thyroid disease, gastrointestinal, other metabolic diseases, or malabsorption syndromes.
• Women who have given birth during the previous 12 months.
• Pregnant women or women who plan to become pregnant or become pregnant during the study.
• Lactating women.
• Type 2 diabetes requiring the use of oral antidiabetic agents or insulin.
• History of eating disorders or other dietary patterns which are not consistent with the dietary intervention (e.g., vegetarians, very low fat diets, high protein diets).
• Volunteers who routinely participate in "heavy" exercise or volunteers who initiate an exercise program during the study.
• Volunteers who have lost 10% of body weight within the last 12 months.
• Use of vitamin and mineral supplements or antacids containing magnesium or calcium.
• Use of prescription or over-the-counter antiobesity medications or supplements (e.g., phenylpropanalamine, ephedrine, caffeine, during and for at least 6 months prior to the start of the study) or history of a surgical intervention for obesity.
• Active cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack or procedure within the past three months or participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program within last three months, stroke or history/treatment for transient ischemic attacks in the past three months, or documented history of pulmonary embolus in past six months).
• Smokers or other tobacco users (during the 6 months prior to the start of the study).
• Known (self-reported) allergy or adverse reaction to dairy products (including lactose) or soy.
• Unable or unwilling to give informed consent or communicate with study staff.
• Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past twelve months and/or current acute treatment or rehabilitation program for these problems (Long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion.)
• Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Triple

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
systolic and diastolic blood pressure	monthly

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Hormones,lipoproteins, and inflammation	monthly

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: David J Baer, Ph.D., USDA-ARS, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2008
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 14, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): April 16, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 9, 2011
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 8, 2011
• Last Verified: February 1, 2011

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: hypertension; blood pressure; heart disease; prehypertension; high blood pressure
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Hypertension
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2007-384