Comparing whey, yeast, and collagen protein for supporting body protein in adults
The Effects of Animal- and Microbial-based Protein Sources on Whole-body Protein Metabolism in Healthy Adults
This will test whether whey, yeast, or collagen protein supplements help healthy adults support whole-body protein synthesis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 13 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Toronto Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Toronto, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT07148908 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy, recreationally active adults aged 18–45 will receive whey, yeast, or collagen protein supplements while investigators measure whole-body protein synthesis using a breath-test method and urine sampling with stable isotopes. The breath test detects protein oxidation and indicator amino acid oxidation to estimate protein quality and metabolic handling of each protein source. Participants are screened for health and activity criteria, and female participants must have regular menstrual cycles or use specified monophasic combined oral contraceptives; exclusions include tobacco or illicit drug use and recent participation in isotope studies. The study is conducted at the Kinesiology & Physical Education facility in Toronto in collaboration with Lesaffre International.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy, recreationally active adults aged 18–45 who can follow study rules, are not regular tobacco or illicit drug users, and (for women) have regular cycles or use specified monophasic combined oral contraceptives are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with metabolic or chronic health conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, regular tobacco users, or anyone with dairy or yeast allergies are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help people choose protein sources that maintain muscle and whole-body protein mass while potentially offering more sustainable dietary options.
How similar studies have performed: Isotope-based breath tests and indicator amino acid oxidation methods have been used before to compare protein quality and have yielded informative comparative data, though microbial (yeast) protein is less extensively studied in humans.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy, male and female, recreationally-active participants. * Healthy will be defined as screened by the PAR-Q+ (Appendix B) and The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (Appendix C). * Participants will be aged 18-45 years old. * Participants are willing to abide by the compliance rules of this study. * Self-reported regular menstrual cycle (25-35d) within the last 3 months (female participants). * Use of monophasic combined oral contraceptives (COC) containing 21 active pills (e.g., Yaz, Marvelon, Cyclen, etc.; the brand of COC will be recorded) (female participants). Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to adhere to any of the compliance rules judged by principal investigator (e.g. dairy protein or yeast allergy). * Self-reported regular tobacco use. * Self-reported illicit drug use (e.g., growth hormone, testosterone, etc.). * Individuals who have participated in studies within the past year involving any of the stable isotopes in the study. * Use of multiphasic COCs due to the difficulty of controlling for hormonal fluctuations in such formulations (female participants). * Use of COCs containing \>21 active pills per cycle due to potential differences in their effect on metabolism (female participants). * Use of other forms of hormonal contraception (e.g., progestin-only pill, hormonal IUD, intravaginal ring) (female participants). * Not currently or previously (in the past 6 months) on a vegan diet
Where this trial is running
Toronto, Ontario
- Kinesiology & Physical Education — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Daniel R. Moore, Ph.D.
- Email: drmoore@utoronto.ca
- Phone: 416-946-4088
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.