None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Eggs provide an affordable, digestible and accessible source of many nutrients, including all eleven essential amino acids, vitamin A, E and B12, selenium, choline and iron, and unsaturated fatty acids including omega-3 (primarily DHA and ALA). Egg yolks are also high in cholesterol and are a major source of dietary cholesterol in Australia. There are current gaps in the research supporting egg intake and other associated health effects outside of plasma cholesterol levels, across different populations and age groups. Egg consumption microbiome studies in humans are extremely limited and have previously only focused on overweight postmenopausal women and/or effects on acute plasma choline levels and microbial taxa related to cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiome is thought to be a key component in Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) metabolism, as trimethylamine is produced by gut bacteria from dietary choline, betaine, or L-carnitine, and then converted in the liver to TMAO, which in turn affects hepatic and intestinal lipid metabolism. Previous human studies have not shown egg consumption to affect plasma TMAO concentrations. However, inter-individual differences highlight the need for larger cohorts and more comprehensive assessment of the effects of egg consumption on gut microbiota. The overall aim is to examine the human gut microbiome in response to egg consumption (compared to no egg consumption) and explore other clinical outcomes (i.e., cognition) and potential mediating factors (i.e., inflammation regulation) in younger and older adults. Specifically, the aims are: 1. To assess effects of 6 weeks’ egg consumption on gut microbial composition and how consequent shifts in gut microbiome species and community function differ between age groups. 2. To explore how egg consumption may influence intuitive decision making, interoception, risk-taking and reaction-time 3. To explore how egg consumption may modulate intestinal immunity by altering levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. 4. To explore the relationship between regular egg consumption, plasma choline, lipo-polysaccharide binding protein, and TMAO and how these levels may modulate or influence any of the above endpoints.
Interventions
180 adults will be recruited (90 aged 18-40, and 90 aged over 60). Each age group will be randomised into either the control group or intervention group. The intervention groups will be as follows:
1. 18-40 year old intervention group: required to eat 2 whole eggs a day for 6 weeks
2. Over 60 intervention group: required to eat 2 whole eggs a day for 6 weeks
There will be no restrictions on how the eggs are to be cooked and prepared for consumption.
Adherence will be monitored through weekly ph
180 adults will be recruited (90 aged 18-40, and 90 aged over 60). Each age group will be randomised into either the control group or intervention group. The intervention groups will be as follows: 1. 18-40 year old intervention group: required to eat 2 whole eggs a day for 6 weeks 2. Over 60 intervention group: required to eat 2 whole eggs a day for 6 weeks There will be no restrictions on how the eggs are to be cooked and prepared for consumption. Adherence will be monitored through weekly phone calls conducted by a researcher (an accredited practicing dietitian) as well as through three 3-day food records conducted at baseline, mid and end of study.
Sponsors
Dr Jessica Biesierkierski
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Diagnosis
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be female or male in a 1:1 ratio and will be within healthy or overweight BMI categories (BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m2) and weight stable for the last two months (+/- 10%). No contraception intake.
Exclusion criteria
No antibiotics in the last 3 months. No history of neurological or psychiatric diseases. No history of diabetes mellitus, renal, hepatic, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. No food allergy or chronic allergy (defined as requiring daily antihistamines). No use of pre- and/or probiotic supplements during the previous month. For the 18-40 year old participants, no menopause before the age of 40 years.
Outcome results
None listed