Impact of Supplemental Fiber on Gut and Vascular Health Related in Obesity Phenotypes

Launched by BALL STATE UNIVERSITY · Jul 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether taking a fiber supplement for nine weeks can help improve gut health and blood vessel function in people with obesity. The researchers want to see if these benefits vary depending on how many heart disease risk factors a person has, such as high blood pressure or blood sugar levels. By understanding this, the study hopes to find better ways to support heart and overall health in different groups of people with obesity.

To take part, you need to be between 18 and 55 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher (which means you are classified as obese), and have either very few (0-1) or several (2 or more) risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol levels. Pregnant women, people who use tobacco or certain medications, or those with serious health conditions like heart disease or diabetes cannot join. If eligible, participants will take a fiber supplement daily and attend clinic visits where their blood vessel health will be checked. The study involves simple steps like lying down quietly for a short time during these visits. This trial is currently recruiting volunteers who meet these criteria and are interested in helping researchers learn more about improving health through gut support.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants are 18-55 years old.
• • Participants BMI is ≥30 kg/m2 - this BMI requirement is due to our research aims.
• • Participants have either 0-1 or 2+ of the following risk factors outside of the normal reference ranges: blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol.
• • Participants are not pregnant or expecting to become pregnant (females only). •Participants are not postmenopausal (females only).
• • Participants have not been diagnosed with an advanced cardiometabolic condition (e.g., cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes).
• • Participants have not been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis/diverticulitis).
• • Participants do not regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs (more than 2x week) and are willing to suspend use of these medications for 3 days leading up to in-lab visits.
• • Participants do not take weight-loss medications (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).
• • Participants do not use tobacco products or any illicit drugs.
• • Participants have not used antibiotics or probiotics in the last month.
• • Participants do not have dietary restrictions prohibiting them from consuming the fiber supplement (e.g., food allergies/intolerance).
• • Participants do not have a pacemaker.
• • Participants are able to lie on their back (supine position) in the dark for at least 10 minutes (related to vascular measurements).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants are not 18-55 years old.
• • Participants BMI is not ≥30 kg/m2 - this BMI requirement is due to our research aims.
• • Participants do not have either 0-1 or 2+ of the following risk factors outside of the normal reference ranges: blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol.
• • Participants are pregnant or expecting to become pregnant (females only).
• • Participants are postmenopausal (females only).
• • Participants have been diagnosed with an advanced cardiometabolic condition (e.g., cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes).
• • Participants have been diagnosed with a chronic inflammatory condition (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis/diverticulitis). •Participants regularly take anti-inflammatory drugs (more than 2x week) and are not willing to suspend use of these medications for 3 days leading up to in-lab visits.
• • Participants take weight-loss medications (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy).
• • Participants use tobacco products or any illicit drugs.
• • Participants have used antibiotics or probiotics in the last month.
• • Participants have dietary restrictions prohibiting them from consuming the fiber supplement (e.g., food allergies/intolerance).
• • Participants have a pacemaker.