Actively Recruiting
Comparison of Dairy and Plant-based Alternatives in Adolescents and Older Adults
Led by University of Toronto · Updated on 2025-03-13
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
156 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of the Dairy vs Plant study is to compare the effects of dairy and plant-based alternative products on blood sugar regulation and nutrient quality in adolescents and older adults. We are inviting healthy, non-diabetic participants aged 14-18 and 60-75, both males and females to participate. The study will take place in the Nutrition Intervention Center located at the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto St. George campus. Participants will be asked to come to the Nutrition Intervention Center on 3 separate occasions: once for an in-person screening lasting approximately 30min and 2 times for study visits lasting approximately 2.5 hrs each. The entire study will take a minimum of 2 weeks to complete. You will be asked to fast for 12hrs (overnight) prior to each study visit. You will also be instructed to maintain the same dietary and sleep patterns, refrain from exercise and alcohol consumption the days before the study visits. During these study visits, you will be asked to consume either a dairy or a plant-based alternative product, as well as a pizza meal. You will periodically fill out questionnaires rating your feelings and perceptions and provide blood samples through finger pricks and intravenously through forearm to measure blood sugar, insulin, hormones, and amino acids. You will be compensated for your time and travel expenses.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Comparison of Dairy and Plant-based Alternatives in Adolescents and Older Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 14-18 years old (adolescents) or 60-75 years old (older adults)
- BMI z-score >+1SD and <+2SD for adolescents or BMI 25-30 kg/m2 for older adults
- Willing to maintain habitual diet, physical activity, and body weight during the study
- Willing to keep current dietary supplement use throughout the study and avoid supplements on study visit days until dismissal
- Willing to abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before all study visits
- Willing to avoid vigorous physical activity for 24 hours before all study visits
- Willing to refrain from cannabis use during the entire study
- Willing to avoid protein supplements during the entire study
- Understands study procedures, provides informed consent, and authorizes release of relevant health information
You will not qualify if you...
- Smoking
- Thyroid problems
- Lactose intolerance or allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities to study treatments
- History of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, malabsorptive syndrome, pancreatitis, gallbladder or biliary disease
- Gastrointestinal disorder or surgeries within the past year
- Inability to comply with study procedures and safety guidelines
- Regular breakfast skipping (more than 3 days a week)
- On special diets such as ketogenic, Atkins, or high protein, or identified as restrained eaters (score >20 on Eating Attitudes Questionnaire)
- Difficulties with eating or swallowing
- Fasting blood glucose over 5.6 mmol/L at screening
- Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure over 120/80 mmHg) at screening
- Weight change over 10 lbs in the last three months
- Use of prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbal or nutritional supplements that may affect study outcomes as judged by the investigator
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Nutrition Intervention Center
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3H2
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Corrina Zhou, MSc
CONTACT
A
Amira Amr, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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