Wageningen

Researchers are evaluating a vegan nutritional supplement containing caprylic acid and omega-3 fatty acids to support muscle health and recovery after damaging exercise. The study aims to see if this supplement can reduce muscle damage and inflammation, speed up recovery, and promote long-term muscle function and independence in healthy young men. Participants will take either the vegan supplement or a control drink daily for seven days. On the fourth day, they will perform an exercise designed to damage the muscles. The study compares how the two groups recover from this exercise while taking their respective supplements. Participants will have their muscle strength tested before exercise and at 24, 48, and 72 hours afterward to measure recovery. Researchers will monitor changes in the strength of the vastus lateralis muscle using a muscle dynamometer. The study involves healthy, recreationally active men aged 18 to 35 and tracks their progress throughout the supplementation and recovery period.

This research investigates how short-term forearm immobilization affects muscle glucose uptake and amino acid metabolism in people with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study compares individuals with T2D to a control group with normal blood sugar levels to understand differences in muscle metabolism during a period of local physical inactivity. Participants will undergo two days of forearm immobilization as a behavioral intervention to simulate inactivity. During this time, detailed measurements will be taken before, during, and after immobilization. This includes arteriovenous forearm balance assessments combined with stable isotope tracer infusions to measure muscle glucose uptake and amino acid balance, uptake, and release. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor forearm muscle glucose uptake over 48 hours. Participants will be evaluated with various metabolic tests and stable isotope techniques to assess muscle substrate metabolism. The study focuses on changes during immobilization and recovery, with careful monitoring to ensure participant safety and accurate measurement of muscle metabolism.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of a dried multifiber vegetable product on bowel function and gut microbiota in adults aged 20 to 80 who experience dissatisfaction with their bowel function. The study focuses on whether this dried vegetable, high in dietary fiber, can improve stool frequency, consistency, ease of defecation, feelings of incomplete bowel emptying, and overall bowel function satisfaction. It also aims to explore if these effects vary by dose and how they relate to changes in gut microbiota over time. The trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with four parallel groups: one placebo group and three intervention groups receiving different doses of dried chicory root particles, which contain 85% dietary fiber. Participants consume the assigned product twice daily for four weeks, with a maximum dose of 15 grams per day. The placebo consists of rice puff particles consumed in the same manner as the intervention. The study examines the impact of these doses on bowel function and gut microbiota changes. Participants will be assessed at baseline and after four weeks of intervention for changes in bowel habits, including stool frequency and consistency, ease of defecation, feelings of incomplete emptying, and satisfaction with bowel function. Researchers will also analyze gut microbiota composition and activity. Safety and adherence will be monitored throughout the study. The primary outcomes focus on comparing the highest dose of the dried vegetable to placebo after four weeks of intake.

Chronic hyperinflammation caused by enhanced immune responses contributes to diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This research investigates how repeated intake of fats from different sources affects the body's immune response after meals. The study compares plant-derived and dairy-derived fats to understand their impact on inflammation, focusing on the marker IL-6, in healthy adults aged 40 to 70 with normal body weight. Participants will consume two types of breakfast shakes, each made with either plant-derived or dairy-derived fats, in a randomized order. Each intervention lasts four weeks, during which participants consume a smaller daily breakfast shake containing fat from the assigned source. Postprandial test days involve drinking a high-fat shake and having blood samples taken before and several times up to six hours after consumption to monitor immune responses. There are washout periods between interventions to clear effects before switching to the alternate fat source. During the study, blood samples will measure IL-6 and other inflammatory markers, along with metabolic markers like glucose and triglycerides. Continuous glucose monitoring and body composition scans will be performed to assess relationships with immune responses. Participants will be closely monitored for safety and adherence, with the entire process involving multiple test days, intervention periods, and washout phases.

Researchers are evaluating how non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) affect glucose regulation in healthy adults aged 45 to 79 with a BMI between 20 and 35 kg/m2. The study also aims to explore the impact of NNS on gut microbiome, gut hormone secretion, sweet taste sensitivity and preference, and how NNS are excreted in urine. This research involves a fully controlled dietary intervention to better understand the real-life effects of consuming non-nutritive sweeteners. The study uses a single-blind, cross-over design with two 8-week intervention periods separated by a washout period longer than 6 weeks. Participants will follow two types of diets: one containing a mixture of six non-nutritive sweeteners (acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, and rebaudioside A from stevia), and one without any added non-nutritive sweeteners. Each intervention period includes 2 weeks of run-in followed by 6 weeks of the assigned diet. Participants will attend 38 visits to the research facility, following a fully controlled diet for 16 weeks. The study involves blood draws totaling approximately 603 mL, DEXA scans, collection of fecal and urine samples, and wearing devices like continuous glucose monitors and activity trackers. Researchers will measure changes in blood glucose response after a glucose tolerance test, gut hormone levels, gut microbiome composition, sweet taste preferences, and NNS excretion. The total participant time commitment is around 85 hours over more than six months.

Researchers are evaluating a targeted precision nutrition strategy to prevent chronic metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in people with overweight and obesity. The study aims to classify participants into unique metabolic groups called Metabotypes, based on factors such as metabolism, genetics, diet, and gut bacteria. The goal is to test whether a personalized diet tailored to these Metabotypes improves blood sugar control, reduces metabolic risk, enhances diet adherence, and supports mental well-being compared to general dietary guidelines. Participants will be randomly assigned to follow either a Precision Nutrition (PN) diet optimized for their specific Metabotype or a Control (CN) diet designed for a different Metabotype of the same sex. Both diets follow the Dutch Healthy Dietary Guidelines but vary in macronutrient composition and quality. The intervention lasts 12 months, with participants receiving regular dietary consultations and meal plans to help guide their intake. Throughout the study, extensive assessments will be conducted before, during, and after the intervention. These include measuring whole-body insulin sensitivity using an oral glucose tolerance test, tracking blood glucose levels, lipid profiles, body composition, blood pressure, gene and protein expression in fat tissue, gut microbiome analysis, metabolomics, physical activity, dietary adherence, mental well-being, and quality of life. The total participation lasts one year, aiming to provide proof that precision nutrition can better support individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes.

This research aims to study how whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), with or without protein intake, affects muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass, and function during 3 days of bed rest in healthy young adults aged 18 to 35 years. Muscle loss and weakness can occur quickly during bed rest, especially in hospitalized patients, and this study seeks to understand if NMES combined with protein intake can help protect against these changes. The study compares three groups to see if NMES plus protein offers better muscle preservation than NMES alone or no stimulation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving sham NMES and standard nutrition, an NMES group receiving whole-body NMES and standard nutrition, and an NMES plus protein group receiving whole-body NMES followed by a 20-gram protein bolus. All participants will undergo 3 days of strict bed rest to simulate hospitalization-related muscle inactivity. The interventions include repeated NMES sessions and nutritional support as outlined. During the study, participants will have muscle biopsies to measure muscle protein synthesis, consume heavy water (D2O) to track protein turnover, and provide saliva and blood samples for analysis. Muscle function will be evaluated with leg extension tests, while muscle mass will be monitored by ultrasound measurements of quadriceps thickness and calf circumference. The study aims to provide insights into how NMES and protein intake may help prevent muscle loss during bed rest, potentially informing rehabilitation strategies for ICU and bedridden patients.

Researchers are studying people with Lynch syndrome (LS), a genetic condition caused by mutations in certain DNA mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2) or the EPCAM gene. LS increases the risk of several cancers, especially colorectal and endometrial cancer. The GEOLynch cohort study aims to understand how genetic, environmental, and other factors affect tumor risk in these individuals. This is an observational study without interventions. Participants complete questionnaires about diet, supplement use, physical activity, weight, height, and medication. Those recruited early (2006-2008) provided buccal swabs, while those recruited from 2012 onward provide blood samples for genetic and biomarker analyses. Follow-up questionnaires and blood samples are collected for some participants to track changes over time. Medical records and pathology reports are reviewed regularly to document colonoscopy details and tumor diagnoses. Participants are followed approximately every two years with medical and pathology report reviews to assess diagnoses of colorectal tumors, endometrial cancer, and overall cancer. The study collects clinical data and biobanked samples to analyze risk factors. Statistical analyses will explore how genetic and environmental factors influence tumor risk in people with LS, with follow-up continuing until study completion.

Researchers are studying metabolic responses to different dietary challenges to develop personalized dietary advice. This study aims to compare the effects of personalized diets based on individual metabolic responses against general healthy diets following national guidelines. The study involves men and women aged 40 to 70 with metabolic control issues and a body mass index between 27 and 35 kilograms per square meter. It is conducted at three sites across Sweden, the Netherlands, and Norway, enrolling a total of 120 participants. The study is divided into two parts. The first part is a three-way randomized, controlled cross-over design where participants undergo one-day meal tests with isocaloric meals differing in carbohydrate, fat, and protein content and quality. Based on the metabolic responses to these meals, a personalized diet is created using an algorithm that considers post-meal glucose, triglycerides, and inflammation markers. The second part is a six-week parallel group intervention comparing the personalized diet to a general healthy diet based on national dietary guidelines. Participants will undergo various assessments during the study, including postprandial measurements of glucose, triglycerides, and interleukin-6 after six weeks. Researchers will monitor metabolic markers to evaluate cardio-metabolic health. The study includes detailed monitoring of dietary adherence and metabolic responses. Total participation lasts through both study phases and the six-week intervention period.