High Linoleic Acid Healthy Cookies for Healthy Adults

(HCES Trial)

Overseen By Martha Belury, Ph.D., RD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University

Must not be taking: Blood thinners

Disqualifiers: Gastrointestinal diseases, Food allergy, Pregnancy, Diabetes, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether eating one healthy cookie rich in linoleic acid per day for two weeks can improve energy functions in certain cells. The researchers propose that these cookies might enhance mitochondrial function in white blood cells and muscles. Nonsmokers without food allergies or stomach issues and not on certain medications may qualify for this study. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on dietary impacts on cellular energy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you do not take anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or other blood thinner medications. If your current medications would make eating the healthy cookies unsafe, you may need to stop them.

What prior data suggests that these healthy cookies are safe for consumption?

Research has shown that higher levels of linoleic acid, a type of fat found in seed oils, might be linked to a lower risk of heart disease, suggesting it is generally safe. However, specific safety information about consuming cookies with added linoleic acid is limited.

Some studies suggest that increasing linoleic acid intake could help boost muscle and reduce body fat. Yet, caution is advised. Excessive linoleic acid might lead to the creation of harmful substances that can affect cellular energy production, potentially causing issues with high consumption.

In summary, while linoleic acid is generally considered safe and may offer health benefits, moderation is key to avoiding possible negative effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for maintaining health and wellness, which often focus on supplements or pharmaceuticals, High Linoleic Acid Healthy Cookies offer a unique approach by incorporating a specific type of healthy fat directly into a tasty snack. Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in maintaining heart health and reducing inflammation. Researchers are excited about these cookies because they combine nutritional benefits with convenience and enjoyment, making it easier for individuals to incorporate healthy fats into their daily diet without the need for pills or drastic dietary changes.

What evidence suggests that high linoleic acid healthy cookies might be an effective treatment for improving mitochondrial biology?

Studies have shown that adding more linoleic acid, a healthy fat, to the diet can help increase muscle and decrease body fat in adults. This fat, commonly found in seed oils, is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease. Research suggests that linoleic acid can improve levels of beneficial substances in the blood, such as adiponectin, which aids metabolism. Consuming foods rich in linoleic acid may also enhance mitochondrial function, the energy producers in cells, in both white blood cells and muscles. Overall, evidence suggests that including more linoleic acid in the diet could offer several health benefits. Participants in this trial will consume High Linoleic Acid Healthy Cookies to evaluate these potential benefits. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy adults who don't smoke and aren't on any medications that clash with the cookies' ingredients. People with gastrointestinal issues, those who are pregnant, have food allergies or intolerances, take blood thinners, or have diabetes can't participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not smoke.

Exclusion Criteria

I don't have dietary restrictions that prevent me from eating certain ingredients in healthy cookies.

I have a food allergy or intolerance.

I am not on medications that react badly with certain foods.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume 1 healthy cookie rich in linoleic acid each day

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• High Linoleic Acid Healthy Cookies

Trial Overview The study is testing if eating one 'healthy cookie' rich in linoleic acid daily for two weeks can boost mitochondrial function in white blood cells and muscle tissue. It's a short-term intervention to see if these cookies could be beneficial.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Healthy Cookie Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants in the study

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Replacing traditional soybean and canola oils with high-oleic varieties can lead to increased intake of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) while decreasing saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including essential fatty acids (EFAs) like α-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA).

Modeling scenarios suggest that replacing 25-50% of traditional oils with high-oleic oils may put certain adult age and sex groups at risk of not meeting the Adequate Intake levels for LA and ALA, highlighting a potential nutritional concern.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modeled replacement of traditional soybean and canola oil with high-oleic varieties increases monounsaturated fatty acid and reduces both saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in the US adult population. Raatz, SK., Conrad, Z., Jahns, L., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6818940/

The Impact of Consuming Healthy Cookies Enriched with ... Increasing linoleic acid (LA) in the diet through supplementation with LA-rich oils can increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass in adults.

2. publichealth.jhu.edu publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/the-evidence-behind-seed-oils-health-effects

The Evidence Behind Seed Oils' Health Effects | Johns Hopkins “The fatty acids typical in seed oils—like linoleic acid—are associated with lower risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, heart ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-8-2020-b6e29

High Linoleic Acid Healthy Cookies for Healthy Adults · Info ... The hypothesis of the study is that consuming 1 healthy cookie rich in linoleic acid each day for two weeks will improve mitochondrial biology in white blood ...

4. lipidworld.biomedcentral.com lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-024-02246-2

Beneficial effects of linoleic acid on cardiometabolic health Linoleic Acid-Rich Oil Supplementation Increases Total and high-molecular-weight adiponectin and alters plasma oxylipins in Postmenopausal ...

5. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/the-healthy-cookie-study-understanding-how-healthy-cookies-affect-fat-in-the-blood

Understanding How Healthy Cookies Affect Fat in the Blood Specifically, the overall goal of this study is to find out if the healthy cookies can increase a polyunsaturated fat called linoleic acid in ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299123154084

The Impact of Consuming Healthy Cookies Enriched with ... Increasing linoleic acid (LA) in the diet through supplementation with LA-rich oils can increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass in adults.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10386285/

Linoleic Acid: A Narrative Review of the Effects ... An excessive intake of LA leads to the formation of oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OXLAMs), impairments in mitochondrial function through suboptimal ...

8. efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1601

Scientific Opinion on the safety of “conjugated linoleic acid ... The safety of. CLA consumption by type-2 diabetic subjects has not been established. Page 4. Safety of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-rich oil ( ...