Lose, Adapt, Maintain, Believe (LAMB), Version 2.5; 16/03/2023
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mycoprotein as a novel, low calorie, high protein/fibre dietary strategy to support weight management and metabolic health in obesity.
IRAS ID
323135
Contact name
BT Wall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Obesity has received a lot of attention over the last couple of decades, and the difficulty in finding effective ways to help individuals return to a healthier weight for a prolonged period is apparent. Mycoprotein is a fungal-derived protein source, and compared to many animal proteins there is a lower environmental burden involved in its production. Compared to many plant-based proteins, Mycoprotein also has a superior amino acid range and content. So far Mycoprotein has been shown as beneficial in reducing how much food we want to eat at our next meal, in lowering cholesterol levels, in stabilising blood glucose after meals, and in stimulating muscle building. This makes it an ideal candidate to use in dietary weight management strategies, especially in populations who are obese and/or at risk of cardio-metabolic health issues. The research to explore the effectiveness of Mycoprotein in a weight loss and weight maintenance scenario for better health outcomes has not been conducted so far however.
This will be a 3-phase study, aimed at assessing the utility of mycoprotein for a) weight loss ("Phase 1"; 6 weeks), b) maintaining achieved weight loss under controlled conditions ("Phase 2"; 6 weeks), and c) long-term maintenance of weight loss under free-living conditions ("Phase 3; 6 months). Participants will be randomised into either: 1) a ‘true control’ group - not undergoing any dietary intervention (CON); 2) An ‘industry leading’ animal-protein control group (ANI); 3) a Mycoprotein (Quorn) intervention group (MYC). Primary outcomes are weight, muscle mass, and fat mass, and will involve use of DEXA and ultrasound. Secondary outcomes will include a number of metabolic health measures, plus assessment of physiological mechanisms potentially involved in weight management. These will be collected by use of venepuncture and/or cannulation for blood sampling, stable isotope tracer administration, biopsy and exercise testing.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EE/0131
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion