Milk for Diabetes Prevention

Summary

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.

Conditions

• Lactose Intolerance
• Lactose Intolerant
• Lactase Persistence
• Pre-Diabetes
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Lactose-Containing Milk

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.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Lactose-Free Milk

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Dairy Council

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Minnesota (UM) Advanced Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ARDL)

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Azenta Life Sciences

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Metabolic Solutions Inc.

  collaborator INDUSTRY

• Albert Einstein College of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Brandilyn Peters-Samuelson, PhD · Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-30

Primary Completion

2028-04-30

Completion

2028-04-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations