Egg Intake for Obesity

Overseen By Clara E. Cho, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Guelph

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Prebiotics, Probiotics

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, Smoking, Vegans, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does exclude people taking antibiotics or natural health products like prebiotics or probiotics.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment of consuming 3 whole eggs for obesity?

Research suggests that eating eggs may help with weight regulation, especially in females, by reducing the risk of central obesity (excess belly fat) and excessive body fat. Additionally, higher egg consumption is linked to better metabolic health in overweight or obese adolescents, particularly in boys. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is eating eggs safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety information about eating eggs, but it does not indicate any safety concerns related to egg consumption. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does consuming 3 whole eggs daily differ from other obesity treatments?

Consuming 3 whole eggs daily is unique because it provides a natural source of nutrients like high-quality protein, which may help with weight management by improving body composition and satiety (feeling full). Unlike many obesity treatments that involve medications or supplements, this approach uses a common food item, making it a simple dietary change. ^{1 2 4 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of additional daily egg intake on metabolic phenotypes and metabolism in the context of obesity.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for non-smoking adults aged 30-65 with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) who are willing to eat three eggs per day for four weeks and maintain their usual lifestyle. It's not suitable for vegans, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, those under age 30 or over 65, anyone on antibiotics or using prebiotics/probiotics, smokers, or recreational drug users.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to consume 3 eggs per day for one dietary period of 4 weeks

I am willing to follow the study rules and not change my lifestyle.

Willing to avoid eggs during the rest of the study except for eggs that are provided

Exclusion Criteria

Vegans or individuals who do not consume eggs

Individuals who are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study; or are currently breastfeeding

BMI < 30 kg/m2

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline

Participants maintain their habitual diet without daily intake of eggs

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants consume 3 whole eggs daily to assess metabolic outcomes

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Washout

Participants return to their habitual diet without daily intake of eggs

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• 3 whole eggs

Trial Overview The study aims to understand how eating three whole eggs daily affects metabolism and metabolic health in people with obesity. Participants will follow this diet for one period of four weeks while keeping their regular habits unchanged.

Participant Groups

Group I: 4 weeks of additional daily intake of 3 whole eggs Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

No intervention: 4 weeks of habitual diet without daily intake of eggs (baseline) will be followed by 4 weeks of additional daily intake of 3 whole eggs then no intervention: 4 weeks of habitual diet without daily intake of eggs (washout)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Guelph

Lead Sponsor

Trials

87

Recruited

15,100+

Research Center of the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - ULaval

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

20+

Findings from Research

In a study of 46 very obese individuals (11 inpatients and 35 outpatients), it was found that their caloric intake was directly related to their level of obesity, with both groups consuming high-calorie density foods and engaging in occasional binge eating.

By replacing high-calorie density foods with lower-calorie options, participants could potentially reduce their caloric intake by 20%, which could significantly aid in weight loss efforts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. Strain, GW., Hershcopf, RJ., Zumoff, B.[2007]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Body Fat Mass, Fat Distribution and Egg Consumption: a Population-Based Study in Chinese Adults. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The association between egg consumption and metabolic health status in overweight and obese adolescents. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food intake of very obese persons: quantitative and qualitative aspects. [2007]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The association of egg consumption with blood pressure levels and glycated hemoglobin in Spanish adults according to body mass index. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized trial to manipulate the quality instead of quantity of dietary proteins to influence the markers of satiety. [2015]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The potential impact of animal protein intake on global and abdominal obesity: evidence from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early protein intake and later obesity risk: which protein sources at which time points throughout infancy and childhood are important for body mass index and body fat percentage at 7 y of age? [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protein intake during the period of complementary feeding and early childhood and the association with body mass index and percentage body fat at 7 y of age. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dairy consumption and overweight and obesity: a systematic review of prospective cohort studies. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Food Groups and Risk of Overweight, Obesity, and Weight Gain: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies. [2023]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary cholesterol from eggs increases plasma HDL cholesterol in overweight men consuming a carbohydrate-restricted diet. [2023]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eggs: Healthy or Risky? A Review of Evidence from High Quality Studies on Hen's Eggs. [2023]