Persea Americana for Total Health (PATH ) Study

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign200 enrolled

Overview

The proposed work will investigate the effects of avocados on abdominal obesity and glycemic control among overweight/obese adults.

The proposed work will investigate the effects of avocados on abdominal obesity and glycemic control among overweight/obese adults. Further, changes in GI microbiota composition and cognitive function will be assessed to comprehensively understand systemic benefits of avocado consumption on gut and brain function. This research study has two aims: 1) To determine the effects of regular avocado intake on metabolic syndrome risk factors, specifically, abdominal obesity and glycemic control, among overweight and obese adults; and 2) to investigate the implications of avocado intake on measures of GI microbiota composition and cognitive function.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Obesity, Abdominal Insulin Resistance Insulin Sensitivity

Interventions

AvocadoOTHER

The intervention meals will contain 1 large avocado.

ControlOTHER

The control meals will be isocaloric to the intervention meals but will not contain avocado.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 25 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females * Between the ages of 25-45 years at the time of consent * Body mass index ≥27.5kg/m2 * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision based on the minimal 20/20 standard in order to complete the cognitive task (below 20/20 vision). * Ability to drop-off fecal sample within 15 minutes of defecation Exclusion Criteria: * Current pregnancy or lactation * Tobacco use * Avocado allergy or intolerance * Food allergies, lactose intolerance * Latex allergy * Prior diagnosis of metabolic and gastrointestinal disease (cardiovascular disease and type 1 or type 2 diabetes, chronic constipation, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, HIV, cancer, etc.) * Prior diagnosis of cognitive or physical disability, including ADHD, severe asthma, epilepsy, chronic kidney disease, and dependence upon a wheelchair/walking * Use of any anti-psychotic, anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, or ADD/ADHD medications * Use of medications that alter normal bowel function and metabolism (e.g., recent antibiotic use, laxatives, enemas, anti-diarrheal agents, narcotics, antacids, antispasmodics, diuretics, anticonvulsants). * High BMI that is not representative of being overweight or obese (e.g. resistance trained individuals, football players) * Prior malabsorptive bariatric surgery (i.e. gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy) or restrictive bariatric surgery (i.e. adjustable gastric band) within the past 2 years

Locations (1)

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, Illinois, United States

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Abdominal obesity

Changes to abdominal and whole body composition including visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue will be estimated by DEXA.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Glycemic Control

Glycemic control will be assessed using oral glucose tolerance tests and hemoglobin A1c.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks,12 weeks

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance will be evaluated using the Homeostasis Assessment Model (HOMA) index.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity will be assessed using the insulinogenic index, Stumvoll Metabolic Clearance Rate, Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity, and the Matsuda Index.

Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Gastrointestinal Microbiota Composition and Short Chain Fatty Acids

Microbial taxonomy will be assessed using high throughput sequencing and short chain fatty acids will be quantified using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Cognitive Function

Cognitive function will be evaluated using tasks that measure prefrontal cognitive control and hippocampal relational memory networks.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Retinal Lutein

Retinal lutein will be assessed using Macular Pigment Optical Density.

Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks

Central Contacts

Hannah D Holscher, PhD RD

CONTACT

217-300-2512 hholsche@illinois.edu

Naiman A Khan, PhD RD

CONTACT

217-300-2197 nakhan@illinois.edu

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.