Actively Recruiting
Effects of Dietary Fats on Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Healthy Adults
Led by University of Glasgow · Updated on 2026-04-24
64
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Glasgow
Lead Sponsor
D
Dr Dalia Malkova
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how different types of dietary fats affect the gut bacteria and their activity in healthy adults aged 20 to 50 years. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to understand whether fats with different structures and saturation levels influence gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity. The study also assesses related changes in blood lipids and inflammation markers to explore potential effects on cardiometabolic health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups to consume butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or sunflower oil as their main dietary fat for two weeks, following a one-week period of their usual diet. Each participant will replace most of their habitual dietary fat intake with their assigned fat while maintaining their normal lifestyle. The study involves three visits over three weeks, with fat consumption beginning after the initial visit. During the study visits on Days 1, 7, and 22, participants will provide stool and blood samples after fasting overnight. These samples will be analyzed to measure changes in short-chain fatty acid concentrations, gut bacteria types, blood lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, fasting glucose, fecal pH, and fecal fat content. Participants will also complete food diaries, symptom questionnaires, and adherence logs to monitor dietary intake and compliance. Anthropometric measurements will be taken to track body changes throughout the trial.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Effects Of Dietary Fats on Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Healthy Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 20 to 50 years
- Body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m8
- Generally healthy
- Stable body weight (7 kg) over the past 2 months
- Living in the Glasgow area
- Non-smoker
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of antibiotics within the past 3 months
- Current use of medications affecting gut microbiota or cardiometabolic health
- Regular use of dietary supplements that may influence study outcomes unless willing to stop before the study
- Chronic gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatobiliary, or pancreatic disease
- History of major gastrointestinal surgery
- Diagnosed diabetes or use of lipid-lowering therapy
- Known fat malabsorption disorders
- Pregnant or lactating women
- Post-menopausal women
- Following a restrictive or specific diet such as vegan or ketogenic
- Food allergies or intolerances relevant to study fats like dairy or coconut
- Recent significant weight change (7 kg in past month)
- High reliance on ready meals or takeaways (>7 meals per week)
- Participation in another research study that may interfere with this study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 week
Participants follow their normal habitual diet for one week before starting the dietary intervention.
1 visit (in-person) at the end of run-in
Duration - 2 weeks
Participants consume their assigned dietary fat (butter, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, or sunflower oil) as the primary dietary fat, replacing most habitual fat intake while maintaining usual diet and lifestyle.
1 visit (in-person) at the end of intervention
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10-16 Alexandra Parade, G31 2ER
Glasgow, United Kingdom, G31 2ER
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Linah Alhomidan
A
Athanasios Koutsos
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
4
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