Metabolic Health, Bones and Nuts During Weight Loss in Adults

Launched by RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY · Apr 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how eating peanut products can affect the health of older adults who are overweight or obese. Researchers want to see if including peanuts in the diet can help improve bone health, metabolic health (like blood sugar and cholesterol levels), brain health, sleep quality, and physical function during a six-month weight loss program. The study is particularly focused on older adults because they are at a higher risk for health issues, and peanuts may offer a nutritious option that supports overall well-being.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be men or postmenopausal women aged 50 to 75 years with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 42. They must be willing to attend about 10 visits in New Brunswick, NJ, and agree to eat either a daily peanut snack or a nut-free snack for 24 weeks. However, individuals with peanut allergies, significant weight loss in the last six months, or certain medical conditions will not qualify. Participants will be part of a supportive environment where they can learn more about healthy eating and lifestyle changes while contributing to important research.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Men and postmenopausal women (\>2 years since last menses), ages 50-75 years
• • Body mass index (25-42 kg/m2) or evidence of pre-clinical obesity.
• • Agree to be randomly assigned to consume a daily peanut snack or nut-free snack for 24 weeks
• • Must attend on-site visits (about 10) in New Brunswick, NJ, USA (transportation/reimbursement for travel not included)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Peanut allergies or intolerances
• • Participants with \>5% weight loss in the past 6 months or extreme dietary/physical activity habits
• • An inability to follow the experimental intervention or to perform the required specimen collections.
• • Individuals with significant psychiatric or food disorders.
• • Current diagnosis, or history of cancer in past 3 years.
• • Current diagnosis or history of bone diseases, type I or II diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, hyperparathyroidism, untreated thyroid disease, significant immune, hepatic, cardiac, or renal disease.
• • Uncontrolled hypertension or hyperlipidemia in abnormal ranges.
• • History of surgery in the past 6 months or surgical procedure for weight loss in the past 3 years.
• • Regular use of medications that affect bone metabolism, including bisphosphonates or hormone replacement.
• • Regular use of medications for that affect the gastrointestinal tract including incretin mimetics, cholecystitis, urinary tract infection, severe organic diseases including coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, infectious diseases including pulmonary tuberculosis and AIDS.
• • Antibiotic use in the past month
• • Alcohol or illicit drug abuse
• • Any other condition deemed by the Research Physician that would prevent participation in the study, e.g. participation in another clinical research project that may interfere with the results of this study.
• • Participation in another clinical interventional research trial