Validating dairy intake biomarkers to investigate the link between dairy consumption and reduced type 2 diabetes risk

Project Overview

Dairy is a rich source of fatty acids, many of which have been linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, current methods for studying dairy fat intake have limitations that prevent a full understanding of the relationship between dairy consumption and type 2 diabetes. To address this, the research team has developed and validated a new technique by measuring the weight of carbon atom stable isotopes in dairy fatty acids. This method will be applied to a group of 712 participants at risk for developing type 2 diabetes over a 15-year period, with blood samples collected every 3 years. The new method will be integrated with the prepared blood samples to measure circulating biomarkers of dairy intake and further investigate the relationship between dairy consumption and diabetes risk factors.

What Will the Research Team Do?

The research team will use the stable carbon isotope signature of the target dairy fatty acid biomarkers to provide a better picture of the relationship between dairy intake and type 2 diabetes.

The objectives of this project are to:

• Test if the new blood biomarkers of dairy intake correlate with self-reported measures of dairy intake as measured by a food frequency questionnaire.
• Test if the new blood biomarkers of dairy intake strengthen the relationship between dairy fatty acid consumption and abnormal blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and beta-cell dysfunction in a large prospective cohort.