Effect of Whey Protein on Blood Pressure

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 25 and 42 kg/m2
• Fasting glucose < 126 mg/dl
• Blood pressure > 120/80 and < 160/100 mm Hg [based two measurements collected on separate days]

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of prescription or over-the-counter medications that alter blood pressure.
• Presence of kidney disease, liver disease, gout, certain cancers, thyroid disease, gastrointestinal, other metabolic diseases, or malabsorption syndromes.
• Women who have given birth during the previous 12 months.
• Pregnant women or women who plan to become pregnant or become pregnant during the study.
• Lactating women.
• Type 2 diabetes requiring the use of oral antidiabetic agents or insulin.
• History of eating disorders or other dietary patterns which are not consistent with the dietary intervention (e.g., vegetarians, very low fat diets, high protein diets).
• Volunteers who routinely participate in "heavy" exercise or volunteers who initiate an exercise program during the study.
• Volunteers who have lost 10% of body weight within the last 12 months.
• Use of vitamin and mineral supplements or antacids containing magnesium or calcium.
• Use of prescription or over-the-counter antiobesity medications or supplements (e.g., phenylpropanalamine, ephedrine, caffeine, during and for at least 6 months prior to the start of the study) or history of a surgical intervention for obesity.
• Active cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack or procedure within the past three months or participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program within last three months, stroke or history/treatment for transient ischemic attacks in the past three months, or documented history of pulmonary embolus in past six months).
• Smokers or other tobacco users (during the 6 months prior to the start of the study).
• Known (self-reported) allergy or adverse reaction to dairy products (including lactose) or soy.
• Unable or unwilling to give informed consent or communicate with study staff.
• Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past twelve months and/or current acute treatment or rehabilitation program for these problems (Long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion.)
• Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol.