Whole milk versus skim milk effects on cholesterol and blood sugar
Gauging Outcomes of Total Milk Ingestion on Lipid and gControl
This trial will test whether drinking whole milk or skim milk for two months at a time changes cholesterol and insulin resistance in adults who regularly drink milk.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT07087184 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an N-of-1 randomized crossover trial in which each participant is assigned to limit their liquid milk to whole milk for two months and then skim milk for two months, or the reverse order. Lab tests including hemoglobin A1c and fasting lipids are performed at two and four months to measure changes in glycemic markers and blood lipids. Participants use the Eureka mobile app and continuously wear a wrist fitness tracker, Bluetooth scale, and blood pressure monitor to record weight, blood pressure, activity, and milk intake while keeping other aspects of their diet constant. A total of 100 adults who regularly consume at least one cup of milk daily will be enrolled at UCSF.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18) who regularly drink at least one cup of dairy milk most days, have a smartphone, can use the Eureka app, are English-speaking, and do not have diabetes, lactose intolerance, recent myocardial infarction, or familial hypercholesterolemia.
Not a fit: People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, lactose intolerance, familial hypercholesterolemia, a history of myocardial infarction, or those planning to change cholesterol treatment are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help milk-drinking adults and their clinicians choose whole versus skim milk to better manage cholesterol and markers of insulin resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational and randomized work on dairy fat and cardiometabolic risk has been mixed, and N-of-1 randomized crossover trials comparing whole versus skim milk are relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Are age ≥18 years * Have a smartphone * Are able to use the Eureka mobile application * Consume, on average, at least one cup of dairy milk daily, at least 5 days per week Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English speaker * Are lactose intolerant * History of myocardial infarction * History of type I or type II diabetes * Familial hypercholesterolemia * Plan to change treatment for cholesterol * Unable to read or sign to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
San Francisco, California
- UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Gregory M Marcus, MD, MAS — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Gregory M Marcus, MD, MAS
- Email: greg.marcus@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 415-476-5706
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.