Adding dairy to a Canadian Food Guide diet and gut health

Impact of Dairy Integration Into Canadian Food Guide on Gut Health

Not applicable Interventional Laval University · NCT07257913

This will test whether adding milk or fermented milk to a Canadian Food Guide–based diet changes gut bacteria, gut permeability, and inflammation in 45–65-year-olds with abdominal obesity and mild metabolic changes.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorLaval University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Québec, Quebec)
Trial IDNCT07257913 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-blinded crossover trial will enroll about 20 middle-aged men and women with abdominal obesity and slightly deteriorated lipid or glucose profiles. Participants will complete three controlled-feeding phases in random order—each including a short run-in and a period consuming a Canadian Food Guide–based diet with either soy beverage (control), milk, or fermented milk—separated by 14–28 day washouts. The team will collect stool, blood, and permeability measures to profile gut microbiota composition, trans-epithelial permeability, and inflammatory markers. The fully controlled feeding design provides precise nutrient intake to detect short-term effects of dairy versus a plant-based alternative on gut health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are 45–65-year-old men and women with waist circumference >80 cm (women) or >94 cm (men) and mildly abnormal lipids or glucose who are non-diabetic and able to attend in-person visits in Québec.

Not a fit: People with diagnosed diabetes, major cardiovascular or immune disease, recent antibiotic use, lactose intolerance or relevant food allergies, active smoking or pregnancy/lactation are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could show that milk or fermented milk improves gut microbiota balance and reduces gut permeability or inflammation, helping refine dietary guidance for people with abdominal obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous controlled-feeding and fermented-dairy studies have shown that diet and fermented milk can modify gut microbiota and some inflammatory markers, but dairy-specific effects in this exact population remain incompletely tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* IMC \< 45
* Waist circumference \> 80 cm (Women) or 94 cm (men)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of diabetes (types 1 and 2), CVD, enteropathy, immune diseases or bariatric surgery
* Cancer (diagnostic and/or treatment) during the last 5 years
* Antibiotic consumption during the last 3 months
* Active smoking or cannabis consumption
* Lactose intolerance or allergy, any allergies to foods given in the intervention phases
* Irregular defecation patterns
* Pregnancy/lactation
* Inability to speak French

Where this trial is running

Québec, Quebec

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Gut Epithelial PermeabilityGut Microbiota Composition and DiversityGut and Circulating Inflammatory MarkersMilk and DigestionMilk consumptionGut epithelial permeabilityInflammationGut microbiota
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.