A double blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover experimental design with six treatments will be used. A total of 30 young (20-40 year old) healthy men and women will serve as subjects. Following 2 days of physical activity and dietary control, subjects will consume a standard OGTT load or high fat tolerance load on the morning of Day 3. The solution used in the meals will be mixed with one or two servings of non-fat milk or placebo (either carbohydrate matched or total calorie matched). Before and after the test meals are consumed, blood samples will be obtained for later analysis of glucose, triglycerides, insulin, and inflammatory cytokines and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and femoral artery vascular conductance will be measured. The present research project should provide new and clinically useful insight into the role of conventional dairy products on metabolic homeostasis. If the working hypotheses are supported, the information could be used as an initial/preliminary basis for recommendations for the consumption of fluid milk in the prevention of metabolic diseases.
