MedPath

Persea Americana for Total Health (PATH ) Study

Not Applicable
Conditions
Insulin Resistance
Insulin Sensitivity
Obesity, Abdominal
Interventions
Other: Avocado
Other: Control
Registration Number
NCT02740439
Lead Sponsor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Brief Summary

The proposed work will investigate the effects of avocados on abdominal obesity and glycemic control among overweight/obese adults.

Detailed Description

The proposed work will investigate the effects of avocados on abdominal obesity and glycemic control among overweight/obese adults. Further, changes in GI microbiota composition and cognitive function will be assessed to comprehensively understand systemic benefits of avocado consumption on gut and brain function. This research study has two aims: 1) To determine the effects of regular avocado intake on metabolic syndrome risk factors, specifically, abdominal obesity and glycemic control, among overweight and obese adults; and 2) to investigate the implications of avocado intake on measures of GI microbiota composition and cognitive function.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Males and females
  • Between the ages of 25-45 years at the time of consent
  • Body mass index ≥27.5kg/m2
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision based on the minimal 20/20 standard in order to complete the cognitive task (below 20/20 vision).
  • Ability to drop-off fecal sample within 15 minutes of defecation
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current pregnancy or lactation
  • Tobacco use
  • Avocado allergy or intolerance
  • Food allergies, lactose intolerance
  • Latex allergy
  • Prior diagnosis of metabolic and gastrointestinal disease (cardiovascular disease and type 1 or type 2 diabetes, chronic constipation, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, HIV, cancer, etc.)
  • Prior diagnosis of cognitive or physical disability, including ADHD, severe asthma, epilepsy, chronic kidney disease, and dependence upon a wheelchair/walking
  • Use of any anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, or ADD/ADHD medications
  • Use of medications that alter normal bowel function and metabolism (e.g., recent antibiotic use, laxatives, enemas, anti-diarrheal agents, narcotics, antacids, antispasmodics, diuretics, anticonvulsants).
  • High BMI that is not representative of being overweight or obese (e.g. resistance trained individuals, football players)
  • Prior malabsorptive bariatric surgery (i.e. gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) or restrictive bariatric surgery (i.e. adjustable gastric band) within the past 2 years

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention MealAvocadoIntervention meals will contain 1 large avocado and be consumed daily for 12 weeks.
Control MealControlControl meals will be isocaloric to the intervention meals but without avocado. They will also be consumed daily for 12 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Abdominal obesityBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Changes to abdominal and whole body composition including visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue will be estimated by DEXA.

Insulin ResistanceBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Insulin resistance will be evaluated using the Homeostasis Assessment Model (HOMA) index.

Glycemic ControlBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks,12 weeks

Glycemic control will be assessed using oral glucose tolerance tests and hemoglobin A1c.

Insulin SensitivityBaseline, 12 weeks

Insulin sensitivity will be assessed using the insulinogenic index, Stumvoll Metabolic Clearance Rate, Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity, and the Matsuda Index.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Gastrointestinal Microbiota Composition and Short Chain Fatty AcidsBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Microbial taxonomy will be assessed using high throughput sequencing and short chain fatty acids will be quantified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Inflammatory MarkersBaseline, 12 weeks

Markers of inflammation such as c-reactive protein (CRP) will be assessed using venous blood samples.

Blood Lipid PanelBaseline, 12 weeks

Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides will be assessed using venous blood samples.

Sleep and FatigueBaseline, 12 weeks

Sleep and fatigue will be evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Physical ActivityBaseline, 12 weeks

Physical activity will be measured over 7 day periods by a waist mounted accelerometer.

Cognitive FunctionBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Cognitive function will be evaluated using tasks that measure prefrontal cognitive control and hippocampal relational memory networks.

Retinal LuteinBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Retinal lutein will be assessed using Macular Pigment Optical Density.

Serum LuteinBaseline, 12 weeks

Serum lutein will be assessed using venous blood samples.

Resting Energy ExpenditureBaseline, 12 weeks

REE will be measured by indirect calorimetry.

DNA AnalysesBaseline

Genetic markers related to obesity and cognitive function will be assessed using blood samples to determine the mediating effects of genetics on changes related to study outcomes.

Dietary IntakeBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Dietary intake will be evaluated using 7 day diet records at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and by NCI NHANES 30-day food frequency questionnaires at baseline and 12 weeks.

Blood PressureBaseline, 12 weeks

Blood pressure will be measured using an automatic blood pressure cuff.

Neuroelectric AssessmentBaseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

A Neuroelectric Assessment will be conducted during cognitive tasks using an Electroencephalogram (EEG) amplifier.

Liver EnzymesBaseline, 12 weeks

Liver enzymes will be assessed using venous blood samples.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

🇺🇸

Urbana, Illinois, United States

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