We have identified a novel protein source that we think will meet the specific needs of older adults: delivering important nutrients to maintain muscle mass and strength while not leaving us too full up to eat at the next meal.

We are looking for research participants to help us test this hypothesis!

Why we are conducting this study

To support the maintenance of muscle and strength as we age, it is recommended that we consume an adequate amount of protein. This is not always easily achieved and is made even more difficult if appetite is low, with many people experiencing a decrease in appetite with age. To complicate matters further, protein is particularly filling, so trying to increase protein intake can then have the knock-on effect of leaving you feeling full more quickly and for a longer time after a meal.

Aim

We are interested in trying to determine appetite responses to different proteins, in an effort to identify which proteins might provide the essential nutrients for promoting muscle maintenance while not leaving us as full up. The extent to our feelings of fullness and hunger after consuming food and drink is partly governed by changes in appetite-related hormones, and we think different proteins will effect these hormones differently. In this study, we will explore appetite and appetite-related hormone responses to two milk-derived proteins: whey protein and glycomacropeptide.

Can you take part?

If you are:

• over 65 years old,
• consider yourself to have low or poor appetite
• are at or below your ideal weight
• do not engage in strenuous exercise often and regularly
• do not smoke, and are free from metabolic disease such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or diabetes
• do not have a phobia of needles or blood
• are free of food allergies

... then we welcome you to take part. 

What your participation would entail

We will ask participants to attend our laboratory on 4 occasions:

Visit 1 - Enrolment Visit. A short visit where we will explain the study, enrol you onto the study and collect some information about your dietary and exercise habits.

Approximately 45 minutes

Visits 2, 3 and 4 - The Experimental Trials. On 3 occasions, we will provide a breakfast shake of different types of protein. We will ask you to rate your appetite before and after the breakfast shake, and throughout the morning until lunch. During this period, we will also obtain blood samples from a cannula we will insert into a vein of your arm. At lunch time, we will provide a pasta and sauce lunch meal.

Approximately 5 hours.

What are the benefits of taking part?

• Help us develop a novel high-protein product to meet the unique needs of older adults.
• Receive a £40 voucher (Amazon or Love to Shop) as a thank you for taking part
• Expenses paid