Impact of dairy products and plant-based alternatives on metabolic and immune health
In Progress
This project compares how dairy and plant-based alternatives affect immune and metabolic health in an animal model of obesity and insulin resistance.
Project Overview
Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and many people turn to plant-based alternatives (PBAs) believing they’re healthier than dairy. However, dairy products are packed with essential nutrients—including choline and unique healthy fats—and emerging research shows they may support immune and metabolic health. The main objective of this research project is to test if PBAs can improve the immune system and cardio-metabolic risk factors to the same extent as dairy in an established animal model of obesity and insulin resistance.
What Will the Research Team Do?
The research team will test how dairy products and plant-based alternatives affect the immune system and metabolism in an animal model of obesity and insulin resistance. The primary objectives of this work are to:
- Study how each diet affects immune function in the gut and bloodstream.
- Compare their impacts on markers of metabolic health like insulin resistance, inflammation, and cholesterol levels.
- Analyze how these effects differ in both fasting and non-fasting states.
Principal Investigator
Spencer Proctor
University of Alberta
Co-Investigators
Caroline Richard
University of Alberta
Donna Vine
University of Alberta
Key Words
- Insulin resistance, Immune function, Dairy vs. plant-based
Period: 2024-2026
Last Updated: April 01, 2025
Funding Partners
Note: As per the research agreement, aside from providing financial support, the funders have no decision-making role in the conduct of the studies, data collection, and analysis or interpretation of the data. Researchers are independent in conducting their studies, own their data, and report the outcomes regardless of the results. The decision to publish the results rests entirely with the researchers.