Investigating Age-dependent Effects of Egg Intake on HDL and Immune Profiles

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT · Oct 10, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how eating different parts of chicken eggs—like egg whites, egg yolks, and whole eggs—affects certain health markers in younger and older adults. The researchers want to find out if these egg fractions make a difference in two main areas: HDL (a type of good cholesterol) function and immune cell profiles, which help our bodies fight off infections. Participants will eat specified egg types daily for four weeks, followed by an eight-week break from eggs, while also following a generally healthy diet and providing blood samples and dietary information.

To participate, you need to be between 18-30 years old or 50-75 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) under 30, and be willing to eat eggs as directed. However, certain health conditions, allergies to eggs, or specific medications may prevent you from joining. If you qualify, you’ll get to learn more about the impact of egg consumption on your health while contributing to valuable research.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18-30 years old, or 50-75 years old (at time of screening)
• • Body mass index (BMI) \< 30 kg/m2
• • Willing to consume whole eggs, egg whites, or egg yolks on a daily basis during study periods, and refrain from eating eggs during other study periods
• • Do not fit any exclusion criteria
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • \< 18 years old; 31-49 years old; \> 75 years old
• • BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or body weight \< 110 pounds
• • Weight changes \> 10% over the last 4 weeks
• • Self-reported history of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, renal or liver disease, cancer, eating disorders, certain severe and/or relapsing/remitting autoimmune, inflammatory, or metabolic diseases, chronic infections, scleroderma, blood clotting disorders, intravenous drug use, or current pregnancy or lactation
• • Allergy or intolerance to eggs, egg components, or egg products
• • Implanted medical device (e.g., pacemaker) or other health condition that would prevent measurement of body composition by bioelectrical impedance
• • Highly elevated fasting lipid and glucose levels (triglyceride levels higher than 500 mg/dL, fasting glucose higher than 126 mg/dL), or total cholesterol \< 120 mg/dL and HDL-cholesterol \< 15 mg/dL
• • Currently taking lipid-lowering medications (e.g. statins, fibrates), anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids), or medications that primarily affect blood clotting (e.g., warfarin)