Whey protein before meals may tame blood sugar spikes in seniors with diabetes
NCT ID NCT07285811
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether drinking whey protein before meals can help adults aged 75-90 with type 2 diabetes keep their blood sugar in a healthy range. Participants will take whey protein or a placebo before each meal for a week, and their blood sugar will be tracked continuously. The goal is to see if this simple dietary change can improve daily glucose control.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- whey protein
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to help older adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels better.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-stage trial with only 32 participants. The effect may be small or not apply to everyone. It is not a treatment for diabetes, just a potential aid.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 32 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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70 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* Male or female * 70-90 years old * Type 2 Diabetes (confirmed with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) \>6.5% in clinic or in SportExR) * Stable body mass (body mass index (BMI) ≤40kg/m2) * Generally healthy, assessed via a General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) * Some residual beta-cell activity (confirmed with urine test on induction) * Normal or moderately increased albuminuria (needs to be below 300mg/g) * Normal, mildly or moderately decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (needs to be above 45ml/min/1.732). * Able and willing to attend SportExR a total of 5 times: 1 induction and 2 testing visits and 2 return check-up visits. Exclusion Criteria: * \<70 years old and over 90 years of age * Currently on fast-acting insulin therapy (i.e., Humalog) * Confirmed uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1C \>10% or 85mmol/mol). * Currently on GLP-1 therapy * Habitual smoker or vaper * Veganism * Lactose or dairy intolerance * Coeliac or gluten intolerance * History of gastrointestinal disease * Experienced a hyperglycaemic or hypoglycaemic event requiring treatment in the past 12 months * Recent Ischemic stroke (\<3 months). * Use of anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin, rivaroxaban) * Considered unwilling or unable to comply with the study protocol requirements by the research team
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Heartlands Hospital
RECRUITINGBirmingham, United Kingdom
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School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATIONBirmingham, West Midlands, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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