High-Protein Diets and Diabetes (HPD)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of a high-protein diet from animal vs non-animal sources on insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in type 2 diabetes
IRAS ID
275134
Contact name
Grainne Whelehan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 3 days
Research summary
This study aims to determine the impact of a high-protein diet, sourced from either animal sources of protein, or non-animal sources, on key determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2D). These determinants include insulin sensitivity (how sensitive tissues such as liver and muscle are to the presence of insulin), beta-cell function (how insulin is secreted in response to glucose), and blood glucose control (how the presence of glucose is managed by the body). With numbers of those diagnosed with T2D rising in the UK and worldwide it is important that manageable, cost-effective treatments are developed.
This study will investigate the role high-protein diets play in treating T2D, exploring the mechanisms behind insulin sensitivity and secretion and how these are affected by animal versus non-animal sources of protein. This will be important to those with T2D as it will determine whether high-protein diets can help treat T2D, and whether there are more dietary options for people with T2D.
There will be 2 test groups; a group consuming a high-protein diet from animal sources and a group consuming a high-protein diet from non-animal sources. The study participants will be otherwise healthy, with well-controlled T2D, and will be randomised to one of the groups and will receive a controlled diet for 5 weeks. This will be carried out at the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility which is a partnership between the University of Exeter Medical School, College of Medicine and Health and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust. Following provision of informed consent, participants will undergo baseline testing to determine insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function and blood glucose control. Participants will then commence the 5-week dietary intervention, having their food delivered on a weekly basis. Following the 5-week period participants will repeat the baseline test days. This study is funded by Quorn Foods.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0102
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion