Protein-rich foods may improve brain insulin-sensitivity, which is important for cognitive and metabolic health, and may also translate into an improved food intake regulation. It is therefore pertinent to delineate the effects of plant-derived proteins, which are a more sustainable alternative to animal-derived proteins, on brain insulin-sensitivity and related functional benefits. The hypothesis is that daily plant-derived or animal-derived protein supplementation improves brain vascular function and insulin-sensitivity, thereby improving cognitive performance and appetite control in overweight or obese older men and women. The primary objective is to investigate in overweight or obese older adults the effect of daily protein supplementation for two weeks with either a plant-derived protein or an animal-derived protein on vascular function and insulin-sensitivity in the brain, while changes in cognitive performance and appetite-related brain reward activity will also be evaluated (secondary study objectives). Cerebral blood flow responses before (brain vascular function) and after the administration of intranasal insulin spray (brain insulin-sensitivity) will be quantified by the gold standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-perfusion method Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
25
Study participants will consume, in random order, twice daily (2 x \~20 g) a plant protein (fava bean protein isolate), animal protein (milk protein isolate) or control (cornstarch providing no extra protein)
Study participants will consume, in random order, twice daily (2 x \~20 g) a plant protein (fava bean protein isolate), animal protein (milk protein isolate) or control (cornstarch providing no extra protein)
Study participants will consume, in random order, twice daily (2 x \~20 g) a plant protein (fava bean protein isolate), animal protein (milk protein isolate) or control (cornstarch providing no extra protein)
Maastricht University Medical Center
Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
RECRUITINGCerebral blood flow responses before (brain vascular function) and after the administration of intranasal insulin spray (brain insulin-sensitivity)
Time frame: Measured after 2 weeks of supplementation with protein isolate or control
Cognitive performance
Cognitive performance will be assessed with a neuropsychological test battery
Time frame: Measured after 2 weeks of supplementation with protein isolate or control
Appetite-related brain reward activity
Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-functional MRI (fMRI) response to food cues
Time frame: Measured after 2 weeks of supplementation with protein isolate or control
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