Project title: “Glycomacropeptide (GMP) derived from cheese whey: treating obesity by manipulating satiety hormones and the gut microbiota”
Gayle Orner loves to scuba dive. “Between the equipment and traveling to all the best [scuba] spots, this hobby gets really expensive,” she explains.
To earn extra money for scuba diving, Orner has developed somewhat of a side hustle participating in paid university research. This is what led her to the human subjects trial evaluating the effectiveness of Denise Ney’s glycomacropeptide (GMP) supplement.
“Participating in the GMP study started with a simple recruitment email,” says Orner, referring to the mass emails sent to UW–Madison employees to recruit study participants. Orner works on campus as an administrator for the Research Animal Resources and Compliance program, which ensures the care and use of animals on campus.
“Because I work in research, I feel compelled to participate in studies. This study was important to me because like so many post-menopausal women, I struggle to lose weight,” says Orner.
Recruitment for Ney’s GMP study began in early 2020 but halted when the university’s Clinical Research Unit pivoted to COVID-19 vaccine development. The study was allowed to re-start in the fall of 2021. “Surprisingly, everyone we recruited finished the study, despite a year and a half delay,” says Ney.
Being a study participant wasn’t easy. To start, Orner had to pass a screening exam to make sure she met all the criteria. For the study itself, she had to schedule four, five-hour visits to the Clinical Research Unit, where she would be administered the supplement. Prior to each visit, she needed to fast, and she also had to provide stool samples. Finally, Orner had to log everything she ate during the study.
“I was able to work on my laptop while I waited, which was nice,” says Orner. “I liked the supplement — it tasted like chocolate Yoo-hoo.” In addition to its good taste, Orner noticed that while taking the supplement, she didn’t have to eat as much to feel full.
For Ney, the most exciting finding has been data showing a change in the fecal microbiota. “This shows that GMP impacts the gut microbiota,” she says. “With more research we could learn that GMP improves conditions like colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.”
There are countless weight loss supplements on the market, but Ney says that very few have done clinical research to support their claims.
“The change in fecal microbiota is why this product is different. It has an effect on satiety and glucose homeostasis. It’s very novel compared to what’s out there,” says Ney.
“You go to stores and see walls of supplements, and consumers don’t know that claims are not always proven,” says Orner. “Being part of this study was enjoyable and it wasn’t just about the money, I can’t wait for this supplement to be on the market.”