A block-randomized, within-subject, two-day, crossover design examining acute (0-4 hour) postprandial changes in different gut-derived hormone concentrations and biomarkers of bone metabolism in 12 healthy, young adults following ingestion of a combination plant-based protein and marine-based multi-mineral supplement or control.~Each participant will consume (in a random manner) either one of two investigational products (i.e., combined nutritional supplement or control). The combined nutritional supplement will consist of: 0.3 g/kg body mass of ATURA Fava-Bean Protein and 800mg of Aquamin F (a highly bioactive source of minerals rich in calcium) dissolved in 500ml water volume. The control product will consist of 500ml water volume without the protein and multi-mineral nutritional composition.
Nutrient intake of calcium and protein are known to function as regulators of bone remodeling. Specifically, a balanced rate of bone resorption and bone formation (i.e. bone remodeling process) is required to maintain bone health. However, a high remodeling rate, or an imbalance between formation and resorption, as well as suboptimal nutrient intake are known to contribute to fracture risk and bone dysfunction.~Gut-derived hormones represent an important link between nutrient intake and bone remodeling (i.e. gut-bone axis). A sustainable nutritional intervention that positively modulates the postprandial responses of gut-derived hormones and the linked bone remodeling processes is an attractive option for the optimization of bone health in young adults.~The proposed nutrient intervention seeks to explore the bioefficacy of a combination plant-based protein and marine-based multi-mineral supplement following oral ingestion in young, healthy men and women. A postprandial time-course study will be undertaken to examine the acute effects and/or associations between different gut-derived hormones and biomarkers of bone metabolism.