Actively Recruiting
Investigating The Potential Of A Hay-Aged Cheese To Reduce Cholesterol As Mediated By Changes In The Gut Microbiome
Led by Anisha Wijeyesekera · Updated on 2026-02-11
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
48 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this intervention trial is to investigate the potential of an artisan cheese aged in hay to induce changes in the gut microbiota in a manner which mediates a reduction in total cholesterol in participants with elevated total cholesterol. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does daily consumption of a hay aged cheese over 12 weeks reduce total cholesterol by at least 0.5mmol/l when compared the control cheese (cheddar)? Are changes in total cholesterol level reflected in changes in gut microbiota composition and activity as measured by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing of stool composition and short chain fatty acid levels in urine? Participants will be asked to consume 30g portions of cheese every day for 12 weeks. This study is conducted in parallel, with participants either allocated onto the control arm (cheddar) or intervention arm (hay-aged cheese). Blood, stool, and urine samples will be taken throughout the trial, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure will also be measured.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Investigating The Potential Of A Hay-Aged Cheese To Reduce Cholesterol As Mediated By Changes In The Gut Microbiome
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participants aged 18 to 65 years old
- Regular consumer of cheese
- Generally healthy with total cholesterol between 5.5 and 7.5 mmol/l
- Body mass index between 18 and 32 kg/m2 at screening
- Willing and able to follow study instructions
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of antibiotics in the last 6 months
- Use of prebiotics, probiotics, laxatives, anti-spasmodics, anti-diarrhoeals, or herbal supplements in the last 4 weeks or during the study
- Chronic gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease
- High blood pressure, anaemia, total cholesterol over 7.5 mmol/l, or inflammatory conditions
- Taking medication for anaemia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inflammatory conditions, or depression
- Diagnosed with vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, heart disease, pacemaker, kidney, bowel or liver diseases, cancer, or hormone abnormalities
- Pregnant, lactating, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy within 6 months
- Peri- or postmenopausal women
- Lost more than 3 kg of body weight in the last 6 months
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Participation in another clinical or food study within the last 3 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Reading, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences
Reading, United Kingdom, RG6 6UR
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sabrina I Longley
CONTACT
A
Anisha Wijeyesekera
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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