Dose-dependent effect of milk proteins on body composition and lipid profile in overweight and obese individuals; A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the optimal dosage of milk proteins, including whey and casein, for improving anthropometric parameters and lipid profiles.

METHOD: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases to assess the effects of milk proteins on anthropometric and lipid-related outcomes. The systematic review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024615328).

RESULT: The meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials found that each 60 g/day increase in milk proteins intake significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 5.85 mg/dl (95% CI = -8.87, -2.83, P < 0.001) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 3.39 mg/dl (95%CI = 1.46, 5.33, P < 0.001). To achieve optimal benefits, the suggested effective range doses for fat free mass was 30 g, for triglycerides was 50 g, and for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 40 g.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate, the correlation between the dosage of milk proteins and fat free mass and lipid markers was nonlinear, while a linear association was established with lipoproteins.