Effects of Inulin Fiber on Gut and Vascular Health in Adults with Obesity and Different Metabolic Risk Profiles

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether taking supplemental fiber for 9 weeks can improve vascular health in adults with obesity. They are also studying if the response differs between those with very few heart disease risk factors and those with several. This study focuses on individuals with a body mass index of 30 kgm2 or higher and groups them based on metabolic health status. Participants will consume inulin, a fiber supplement from chicory root, starting with 6 grams daily for one week, followed by 12 grams daily for eight weeks. They will dissolve the powder into a cool or room temperature beverage and drink it around the same time each day. The study includes assessments before starting, halfway through, and at the end of the intervention. During the study visits, participants will fast for about 10 hours before arriving in the morning. Researchers will collect blood samples and perform vascular tests including flow-mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity, along with body weight and composition measurements. Participants will also wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours and complete food records. Optional stool sample collection and special body scans will be done at the beginning and end of the study. The research team will monitor various blood markers and vascular health measures throughout the study, which lasts about 9 weeks.

Impact of Supplemental Fiber on Gut and Vascular Health Related in Obesity Phenotypes