Effects Of Dietary Fats on Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Healthy Adults

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Short Chain Fatty Acids Concentration in Stools, Gut Microbiota Diversity and Composition, Blood Lipid Profiles, Inflammation Biomarkers

In brief

This study will investigate how adding a specific type of dietary fat to daily meals for two weeks affects the gut bacteria and their activity. Participants will be randomly assigned to consume one of four types of fat: butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil (60 mL each day for 2 weeks). Stool and blood samples (after an overnight fast) will be collected at 3 time points during the study (Days 1, 7, and 22). These samples will be used to measure metabolites produced by gut bacteria, the types of bacteria present in the gut, blood lipids, and inflammatory markers. The study, based on previous in vitro findings, aims to understand whether different types of fats (based on their structure and level of saturation) have different effects on gut bacteria and their activity in healthy subjects.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07550023

Run by

University of Glasgow

People needed

64

Starts

2026-03-23

Expected to finish

2028-03-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-04-24

Who can join

Age: 20 and older, up to 50. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults aged 20-50 years
• Body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m²
• Generally healthy
• Stable body weight (±2 kg) over the past 2 months
• Living in the Glasgow area
• Non-smoker

You may not qualify if…

• 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 (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, fish oil), unless willing to discontinue prior to study start
• Presence of 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 (e.g. vegan, ketogenic diet)
• Food allergies or intolerances relevant to study interventions (e.g. dairy, coconut)
• Recent significant weight change (±2 kg in the past month)
• High reliance on ready meals or takeaway foods (>7 main meals per week)
• Participation in another research study that may interfere with this study

Where it is running

• New Lister Building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 10-16 Alexandra Parade, G31 2ER — Glasgow, United Kingdom (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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