Egg Intake for Obesity

Recruiting at 1 trial location

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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how eating three eggs a day affects metabolism and metabolic health in people with obesity. Participants will first follow their usual diet, then add three eggs daily for four weeks, and finally return to their normal diet to observe any changes. The study seeks individuals aged 30-65 with a BMI over 30, who do not smoke, and are willing to eat eggs and adhere to the study's guidelines. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding dietary impacts on metabolic health.

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.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this treatment is likely to be safe for humans?

Studies have shown that eating up to three whole eggs a day is generally safe for most people. One study found that eating three eggs daily improved heart health by raising HDL levels, the "good" cholesterol, and increased antioxidants in young, healthy adults. Another study found that it might improve metabolic health in overweight teenagers.

While some research suggests that long-term egg consumption could lead to weight gain, short-term consumption hasn't been linked to negative effects on body weight or shape. Overall, eggs can be a healthy part of the diet for many people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The treatment of adding 3 whole eggs daily for obesity is unique because it explores using a simple dietary change rather than relying on pharmaceuticals or intensive lifestyle modifications. Unlike typical approaches that might include medications like orlistat or bariatric surgery, this treatment focuses on the nutritional benefits of eggs, which are rich in protein and essential nutrients, potentially aiding in weight management. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it could offer an accessible, cost-effective option with fewer side effects compared to traditional obesity treatments.

What evidence suggests that additional daily intake of 3 whole eggs might be an effective treatment for obesity?

This trial will evaluate the effects of consuming an additional three whole eggs daily over a 4-week period. Research has shown that eating eggs might benefit people with obesity. In one study, participants who ate three eggs a day for 12 weeks lost weight while maintaining muscle mass. Another study found that increased egg consumption was linked to a lower risk of health problems in overweight or obese teenagers, especially boys. However, some research suggests that while eggs might not cause short-term weight gain, they could lead to weight gain over a longer period. Overall, eggs do not appear to increase the risk of obesity in healthy adults. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

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

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

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, University Laval

Collaborator

Trials

26

Recruited

6,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353215/

The effect of whole egg consumption on weight and body ... Although whole egg consumption had no adverse effect on body composition and body weight, in overall, it might increase body weight in long term.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579124012380

Association between egg consumption and risk of obesity This article reveals that dietary cholesterol or moderate egg intake was not significantly associated with a higher risk of obesity in healthy adults.

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-023-30018-y

The association between egg consumption and metabolic ... Higher egg consumption was negatively related to decreased chance of being MUO in overweight/obese adolescents, especially in boys and overweight individuals.

4. jn.nutrition.org jn.nutrition.org/article/S0022-3166(22)02244-1/fulltext

Whole Egg Consumption Decreases Cumulative Weight Gain ... At 33 wk, cumulative BW gain in DIO rats fed HFHS EGG resulted in 23% lower weight gain compared with DIO rats fed HFHS CAS (P < 0.0001), but no significant ...

5. medicalnewstoday.com medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320118

The egg diet plan: Is it effective? A 2018 studyTrusted Source found that eating three eggs a day for 12 weeks helped people with overweight and obesity to lose weight and retain ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316622106760

Intake of up to 3 Eggs per Day Is Associated with Changes ... Intake of ≤3 eggs/d favored a less atherogenic LDL particle profile,improved HDL function,and increased plasma antioxidants in young,healthy adults.

7. healthline.com healthline.com/nutrition/how-many-eggs-should-you-eat

Eggs and Cholesterol — How Many Eggs Can You Safely ... For example, one study in 37 adults with metabolic syndrome found that those who ate a low carb diet including 3 whole eggs per day for 12 weeks ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4586539/

Egg Consumption and Human Cardio-Metabolic Health in ... The evidence suggests that a diet including more eggs than is recommended (at least in some countries) may be used safely as part of a healthy diet.