Study finds that milk phospholipids may help users manage stress

Photo © iStockphoto.com/BartekSzewczyk

A recent study¹ found that supplementation with broad-spectrum phospholipids found in milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) may help reduce stress. The study was led by experts from Fonterra, the University of Auckland, and the University of Otago. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 122 healthy adults between the ages of 25 and 60 were given either 600 mg of MFGM (containing 300 mg milk phospholipids), 1200 mg (containing 600 mg milk phospholipids), or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The MFGM was supplied by Fonterra and marketed under its Nutiani brand. Subjects were assessed for psychological outcomes and sleep quality at baselines, six weeks, and 12 weeks using The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), The Perceived Stress Scale, The World Health Organization Wellbeing Index, and The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Awakening cortisol concentration was measured through saliva samples.

Results showed subjects taking MFGM has significantly lower stress scores, based on the DASS, after 6 weeks and 12 weeks compared to placebo. When looking at the different MFGM doses, results showed that compared to placebo 600 mg of MFGM was associated with significantly lower stress scores after 6 and 12 weeks while the 1200 mg dose of MFGM was only associated with significantly lower stress scores after 6 weeks but not 12 weeks.

“These findings are consistent with previous work demonstrating that supplementation with broad-spectrum phospholipids improve the response to a stressful situation,” said Maher Fuad, MBChB, MPH, PhD, PGDip Clinical Research, in a press release. Fuad, who co-authored the paper, is a research clinician and member of Fonterra’s nutrition science team. “The study's results provide more clinical substantiation for the science and wellbeing fields to help consumers understand and make the best use of milk derived phospholipids in their everyday lives,” Fuad added.

Reference

1. Davies, N.; Frampton, C.; Fuad, M.; Slykerman, R. The Effect of Supplementation with Milk Fat Globule Membranes on Psychological Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress. Journal of Functional Foods, 2023, 105: 105585, DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105585