Cheese Consumption for Inflammation

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Must not be taking: Anti-obesity agents, Corticoid steroids

Disqualifiers: Autoimmune, Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 1 day per test session

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Phase 2 of this study involves determining how consumption of cheese compared with a non-dairy cheese substitute influences inflammation over a six hour period.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you have started using certain medications like statins, anti-inflammatory supplements, or corticoid steroids in the last 12 weeks.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cheddar cheese, Vegan cheese for inflammation?

Research shows that dairy products, including cheese, may have anti-inflammatory effects, especially in people with metabolic disorders. However, the effects can vary, and more research is needed to understand how specific types of cheese, like Cheddar, impact inflammation. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is cheese consumption safe for humans in terms of inflammation?

Research suggests that dairy products, including cheese, generally have anti-inflammatory effects in humans, especially for those with metabolic disorders. However, they may cause inflammation in people allergic to cow's milk. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How does cheese consumption affect inflammation compared to other treatments?

Cheese consumption, particularly Cheddar cheese, may help reduce inflammation by modulating immune responses and increasing anti-inflammatory markers, which is different from other treatments that might not involve dietary changes. This approach is unique because it uses food as a treatment to potentially alleviate symptoms of inflammation. ^{1 4 5 6 8}

Research Team

Angela M. Zivkovic, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

J. Bruce German, PhD

Principal Investigator

UC Davis

Marta Van Loan, PhD

Principal Investigator

ARS USDA WHNRC

Bruce D. Hammock, PhD

Principal Investigator

UC Davis

Jennifer T. Smilowitz, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with metabolic syndrome, characterized by conditions like central obesity or high blood pressure. Participants should not have eating disorders, immune diseases, severe allergies to study foods, diabetes, recent changes in exercise or diet habits, a BMI over 40 or weight over 400 lbs., and must not be planning pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 65 years old.

I have at least two symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Exclusion Criteria

I have cancer.

Your diet has too much omega-6 compared to omega-3 fatty acids.

You eat more than 1% of your daily energy from trans fats.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants consume a test meal of either cheese or a non-dairy cheese substitute, with blood draws at 0, 1, 3, and 6 hours postprandially

1 day per test session

2 visits (in-person, separated by 2 weeks)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in plasma inflammatory mediators and other biomarkers postprandially

6 hours postprandial monitoring per test session

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Cheddar cheese
• Vegan cheese

Trial Overview The study compares the effects of consuming cheddar cheese versus vegan cheese on inflammation in individuals with metabolic syndrome. Over six hours, researchers will monitor how these two types of cheese influence inflammatory responses.

Participant Groups

Group I: Cheese Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Cheese sandwich plus supplemental beverage will deliver 40% of each participants' energy expenditure and will be made up of 50% of energy as fat, 35% of energy as carbohydrate and 15% of energy as protein. The sandwich will contain medium cheddar cheese and whole wheat bread. The supplemental beverage will contain fruit sorbet, glucose polymer, protein powder, high oleic sunflower oil, high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) sunflower oil, and canola oil.

Group II: Vegan cheese Active Control 1 Intervention

Non-dairy cheese alternative sandwich plus supplemental beverage will deliver 40% of each participants' energy expenditure and will be made up of 50% of energy as fat, 35% of energy as carbohydrate and 15% of energy as protein. The sandwich will contain vegan cheese and whole wheat bread. The supplemental beverage will contain fruit sorbet, glucose polymer, protein powder, cream of tartar, high oleic sunflower oil, high PUFA sunflower oil, and palm oil.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Dairy Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials

18

Recruited

1,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy products and inflammation: A review of the clinical evidence. [2019]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy product consumption has no impact on biomarkers of inflammation among men and women with low-grade systemic inflammation. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Milk and Dairy Product Consumption and Inflammatory Biomarkers: An Updated Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy consumption and inflammatory profile: A cross-sectional population-based study, São Paulo, Brazil. [2019]

5. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy nutrients and their effect on inflammatory profile in molecular studies. [2015]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A cheese-containing diet modulates immune responses and alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice. [2012]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fermented non-digestible fraction from combined nixtamalized corn (Zea mays L.)/cooked common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) chips modulate anti-inflammatory markers on RAW 264.7 macrophages. [2018]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption of a high-fat meal containing cheese compared with a vegan alternative lowers postprandial C-reactive protein in overweight and obese individuals with metabolic abnormalities: a randomised controlled cross-over study. [2018]