PhD Studentship - Do Whey Protein Supplements Increase the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?

Supervisors:  Professor Julie Lovegrove, Dr Les Crompton, Dr Kim Jackson and Professor Ian Givens

Project Overview:   Evidence from long-term prospective studies indicates that high consumption of some dairy protein products, a rich source of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) is associated with an improvement in glycaemic control and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Despite this, higher BCAA concentrations in blood have been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. This project aims to rationalise this apparent conflict of evidence using human randomised controlled trials and associated biochemistry to determine underlying mechanisms of action. Given the high usage of milk protein products to support muscle mass in many sports and in food fortification there is an urgent need to address the effects of milk protein intake on circulating BCAA levels and glucose control. This is particularly important as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the population is increasing rapidly and if unchecked this will increase the risk of heart disease and related morbidity substantially.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants should hold or expect to gain a minimum of a 2:1 Honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent in nutrition or a related subject.
• Due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is only open to UK/Republic of Ireland students.

Funding Details:   

• Starts January 2024.
• Three-year award.
• Full tuition fees plus a £18,622 per year stipend for UK/Republic of Ireland student.
• Research costs are included in the award.

How to apply:  

To apply for this studentship please submit an application for a PhD in Food, Nutrition and Health at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/graduate-school/doctoral-opportunities/how-to-apply.

*Important notes*

1) Please quote the reference GS23-088 in the ‘Scholarships applied for’ box which appears within the Funding Section of your on-line application.

2) If the application system prompts you to submit a research proposal, please paste in the project title and move on to the next step in the application

Application Deadline:  13^th October 2023

Further Enquiries:  

Please note that, where a candidate is successful in being awarded funding, this will be confirmed via a formal studentship award letter; this will be provided separately from any Offer of Admission and will be subject to standard checks for eligibility and other criteria.

For further details please contact Professor Ian Givens (email: d.i.givens@reading.ac.uk) or Professor Julie Lovegrove (email: j.a.lovegrove@readiung.ac.uk).

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