Exploring the Role of Almonds in Enhancing Immune Strength
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- San Diego State University
- Enrollment
- 48
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- change in Natural Killer Function
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of good nutritional status for immune strength and for reducing comorbidities that increase morbidity and mortality of infections. The major aim of this study is test if almond consumption can improve immune function.
Detailed Description
Investigators will conduct an 8-week parallel-arm trial of 48 overweight/non-obese (BMI=24-30) adult (aged 40-65 years) men (n=24) and women (n=24) who will be randomly assigned to consume daily isoenergetic portions of almonds or a common snack (pretzels).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 40 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Healthy male and female subjects aged 40-65 y
- •Body mass index (BMI) 24-30 kg/m.2
Exclusion Criteria
- •Not willing to stop taking multivitamins, and supplements (with the exception of vitamin D and calcium), for 30 days prior to or during study participation, if currently taking these.
- •Almond allergies
- •Alcohol consumption >2 drinks per day.
- •Smoking or using nicotine containing products in the last 6 months.
Arms & Interventions
Pretzel
Consume comparative amount of pretzel for 8 weeks
Intervention: Pretzel (Other)
Almond (2 ounces)
Consume 2 ounces almond daily for 8 weeks
Intervention: Almond (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
change in Natural Killer Function
Time Frame: Baseline, after 8 weeks
The ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to bind and kill leukemia cells will be measured at baseline and at week-8 of the diet intervention using flowcytometry by assessing the concentration of natural killer cells.
Secondary Outcomes
- change in Cytokines(Baseline, after 8 weeks)
Investigators
Mark Kern
Professor
San Diego State University