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Differential effects of casein versus whey on fasting plasma levels of insulin, IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3: results from a randomized 7-day supplementation study in prepubertal boys

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 63, pages 1076–1083 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Milk increases both fasting insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and thereby growth, in healthy prepubertal boys. It is, however, unknown which components in milk are responsible for milk's growth-stimulating effect.

Subjects/Methods:

To get closer to the identification of which components in milk that stimulate growth, we have performed an intervention study with 57 eight-year-old boys in which we examined the effects of the two major milk protein fractions, whey and casein, and milk minerals (Ca and P) in a 2 × 2 factorial design on IGFs and glucose–insulin metabolism. The amounts of whey and casein were identical to the content in 1.5 l skim milk. The amounts of Ca and P were similar to 1.5 l skim milk in the high-mineral drinks, whereas the amounts of Ca and P were reduced in the low-mineral drinks.

Results:

There were no interactions between milk mineral groups (high, low) and milk protein groups (whey, casein). Serum IGF-1 increased by 15% (P<0.0001), whereas there was no change in fasting insulin (P=0.36) in the casein group. In the whey group, fasting insulin increased by 21% (P=0.006), with no change in IGF-1 (P=0.27). There were no independent effects of a high milk mineral intake on IGF-1 and insulin.

Conclusions:

The main milk protein fractions exhibit important but different growth-promoting effects by increasing either fasting insulin (whey) or IGF-1 (casein) levels.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Birgitte Hermansen, Vivian Anker and Marianne Støckel for their valuable help with the study. Also, we thank Arla Food Ingredients for designing, producing and sponsoring the milk drinks. The study was funded by a grant from the Danish Research Agency (FELFO). The authors (CH, CM and KFM) designed the study and were responsible for the collection of data (CD, CM and KFM). CH was responsible for analysis of data and writing of the article. All authors participated in the discussion of the results and revision of the article. CH, CM and KFM have received research grants from the Danish Dairy Research Foundation to perform research on milk and growth. The milk-based drinks were manufactured and donated by ARLA Foods Ingredients a.m.b.a.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    C Hoppe, C Mølgaard, C Dalum & K F Michaelsen

  2. Department of Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Søborg, Denmark

    C Hoppe

  3. Steno Diabetes Centre, Gentofte, Denmark

    A Vaag

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  1. C Hoppe
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Correspondence to C Hoppe.

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Hoppe, C., Mølgaard, C., Dalum, C. et al. Differential effects of casein versus whey on fasting plasma levels of insulin, IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGFBP-3: results from a randomized 7-day supplementation study in prepubertal boys. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 1076–1083 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.34

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