Barley Lysine Availability for Healthy Subjects
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial examines how different cooking methods affect the availability of lysine, an essential amino acid, in barley. Lysine plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, which is vital for growth and bodily functions. The study focuses on healthy adult men without health issues affecting protein processing and who have maintained a stable weight recently. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to valuable nutritional research that may enhance dietary guidelines.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you are not on any medications that could affect protein or amino acid metabolism, such as steroids. If your current medications do not affect these processes, you may not need to stop taking them.
What prior data suggests that barley is safe for consumption?
Research has shown that barley is generally safe to eat, though it is low in lysine, an essential protein building block. This deficiency means barley might not provide all necessary components for protein synthesis. Studies have explored adding lysine to barley to enhance its nutritional value, and no major safety concerns have emerged.
Barley contains beneficial plant compounds like phenolic acids and flavonoids, which might offer health benefits. No serious side effects are known from consuming barley itself. However, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid it because barley contains gluten.
Overall, most people tolerate barley well when included in a balanced diet.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about exploring barley's lysine availability because it offers a natural and potentially beneficial way to enhance nutrition. Unlike supplements or fortified foods that add lysine artificially, barley provides this essential amino acid directly from a whole food source. This approach could lead to more sustainable and accessible dietary improvements, particularly for those seeking to boost their lysine intake naturally. By focusing on the metabolic availability of lysine from barley, researchers hope to uncover new insights into how we can optimize our diets for better health.
What evidence suggests that barley might be an effective treatment for improving lysine availability?
Research shows that barley is low in lysine, an important building block for proteins in the body. This means barley protein lacks quality because it doesn't have enough lysine to support effective protein synthesis. Studies also indicate that cooking methods can affect how much lysine the body can use from barley. While barley offers other health benefits due to its natural compounds, combining it with foods high in lysine can improve its protein quality. Understanding the lysine content in barley is crucial for enhancing its nutritional value.
The trial will investigate the metabolic availability of lysine in barley for healthy adult men.14567Who Is on the Research Team?
Glenda Courtney-Martin, PhD
Principal Investigator
Associate Scientist
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for healthy young men aged 18-40 with stable body weight, not on medication affecting protein metabolism like steroids. They must have no clinical conditions such as diabetes that affect protein or amino acid metabolism and no recent significant weight changes.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Adaptation
Subjects are adapted to the level of lysine being studied, consuming the same diet as they will receive on the IAAO study day
IAAO Study Day
Subjects undergo the oxidation study, consuming hourly meals and providing breath samples for analysis
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Barley
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
The Hospital for Sick Children
Lead Sponsor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator