The Protein StudyThe effect of protein intake on circulating inflammatory markers in women with obesity

INTERVENTION: All participants consume 2 protein meals consisting of 19.5gms of dairy protein per meal. The meals are consumed on 2 different occasions with an interval of at least 1 week between the meals. CONDITION: Inflammatory markers and insulin secretion in obese women after ingestion of protein, protein and carbohydrate meals, or carbohydrate only meals PRIMARY OUTCOME: Markers of inflammation‐Plasma levels of IL‐6, will be measured by Enzyme‐Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit (R&D Systems) Plasma Free fatty acid levels will be measured using a commercial kit from Roche Diagnostics. Whether ingestion of protein and especially dairy protein, increases the secretion of insulin and thus it's anti‐inflammatory activity. The plasma insulin secretion will be measured using a commercial kit (Roche) on a Hitachi E170 autoanalyser. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Plasma Glucose will be measured by a routine method in the hospital diagnostic laboratory. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 25 abdominally obese women Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30 and waist circumference > 88cm)