Comparison of Ketogenic, Vegetarian, and Habitual Mixed Diets on Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, Gene Expression, and Metabolic Health in Adults Aged 18 to 60

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating how different diets affect gut health, inflammation, gene activity, and metabolism in healthy adults aged 18 to 60. This 12-week randomized controlled trial compares a ketogenic diet, a vegetarian diet, and a habitual mixed diet to understand how these diets influence gut microbiota, intestinal inflammation markers, gene expression, and blood biochemistry. Participants are randomly assigned to follow one of three diets for 12 weeks a ketogenic diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates a vegetarian diet excluding all animal products or their usual mixed diet without changes. The ketogenic group monitors blood ketones weekly to check diet adherence. Throughout the study, participants keep food diaries and receive nutritional counseling. Participants visit the lab at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks in a fasting state for body mass and composition measurements, blood and stool sample collection, and various laboratory tests including gene expression and metabolic studies. Stool samples analyze gut bacteria and inflammation markers. Questionnaires assess stress and appetite. The study measures numerous outcomes such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, insulin, glucose, cholesterol levels, appetite hormones, and gene polymorphisms to explore diet impacts on metabolic and gut health.

Dietary Macronutrients and Gut Microbiota, Inflammation, and Metabolic Markers