Milk for Diabetes Prevention

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT06513026

Albert Einstein College of Medicine40 enrolled

Overview

Individuals with lactase non-persistence (LNP; determined by a functional variant in the LCT gene \[rs4988235, GG genotype\]) are susceptible to lactose intolerance in adulthood due to deficiency of lactase, the enzyme which digests milk lactose sugars. However, many LNP individuals still drink ≥1 cup of milk daily. Recent analysis in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) found that consumption of 1 serving (cup) of milk/day was associated with \~30% lower risk of type 2 diabetes among LNP individuals, but not among individuals with lactase persistence (LP). This beneficial effect might be partially explained by favorable alterations in gut microbiota and related metabolites associated with higher milk consumption among LNP individuals. Based on these observational study findings, the investigator team proposes to conduct a randomized, controlled trial of lactose-containing vs. lactose-free milk in LNP individuals with pre-diabetes, to comprehensively investigate the effects of milk intake on the gut microbiome and glycemic outcomes.

The trial will feature a 2-week milk washout period, followed by 1:1 randomization to lactose-containing (1% or 2%) or lactose-free (1% or 2%) milk for 12 weeks (4 weeks each of ½ cup, 1 cup, and 2 cups milk). Before and after the 12 weeks, visits will entail lactose challenge hydrogen breath tests (HBT; i.e., lactose tolerance tests) and blood tests for fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and metabolomics; while stool samples and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data will be collected at home using provided kits/devices. Specific aims of the study are to: (1) establish feasibility and tolerability of a randomized trial of lactose-containing vs. lactose-free milk; (2) to examine the effect of lactose-containing milk on gut microbiome species, functions, and metabolites in LNP individuals with pre-diabetes; and (3) to examine the effect of lactose-containing milk on glycemic outcomes in LNP individuals with pre-diabetes.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

Interventions

Lactose-Containing MilkDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will be asked to drink regular milk (1% or 2%) for 12 weeks as follows: * Weeks 1-4: ½ cup milk per day * Weeks 5-8: 1 cup milk per day * Weeks 9-12: 2 cups milk per day Participants will continue drinking 2 cups milk/day for 2 weeks after the 12-week follow-up visit.

Lactose-Free MilkDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will be asked to drink 1% or 2% lactose-free milk for 12 weeks as follows: * Weeks 1-4: ½ cup milk per day * Weeks 5-8: 1 cup milk per day * Weeks 9-12: 2 cups milk per day Participants will continue drinking 2 cups milk/day for 2 weeks after the 12-week follow-up visit.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * LNP genotype (LCT gene rs4988235, GG genotype) * History of pre-diabetes, defined as fasting blood glucose 100-125 mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7-6.4% and have not been diagnosed with diabetes nor take diabetes medication (pre-diabetes determined at most recent study visit \[for HCHS/SOL participant\] or most recent medical chart or self-report \[for other participant\]) * Drink ≤1 cup milk/day * Basic computer or smartphone skills * Can speak and read English fluently Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes diagnosis * Taking anti-diabetes medication * Cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or life-threatening illness * Known milk allergy * Has severe GI symptoms after drinking milk * History of GI surgery * Had a double mastectomy * Smoking * More than 1 alcoholic beverage/day * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Colonoscopy in last 2 weeks * Antibiotics in last 3 months * Taking probiotics or fiber supplements (if taking, must be able to stop taking during study) * Taking laxatives, stool softeners, anti-diarrheal (if taking, must be able to stop taking during study) * Taking lactase pills (if taking, must be able to stop taking) * Participating in extreme dieting program * Planning extended travel that would prevent participation in study * Taking medication that must be taken separate from calcium or dairy products

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Gastrointestinal symptoms, specifically abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea, will be recorded daily from screening visit through 12 weeks of milk intervention. The occurrence and severity of these four adverse events will be summarized and reported by study arm. Average frequencies of none-mild vs. moderate-severe symptoms will be compared between treatment groups by week of study, as well as for specific time intervals corresponding to milk doses (weeks 1-4, 5-8, 9-12).

Time frame: Daily From Screening visit to Week 12

Change in Expired Breath Hydrogen

Expired breath hydrogen after lactose challenge will be measured during the baseline visit and after 12 weeks of milk intervention at the time of the follow-up visit using Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT) kits. Breath tubes will be mailed to an external laboratory where stable isotope analysis for expired breath hydrogen will be conducted. Expired breath hydrogen will be expressed as incremental Area Under the Curve (iAUC). Change in iAUC from baseline to week 12 will be summarized using basic descriptive statistics (group means and standard deviations), and change in iAUC will be compared between treatment groups.