Pilot Study of "Bottarga" Supplementation: A Little-known, Sustainable "Blue" Food

Recruiting · NCT06988462 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment) · Lead sponsor: Cambridge Health Alliance

View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Obesity High cholesterol

Interventions studied

BottargaComparator

What this trial is about

This pilot study aims to explore the potential benefits of consuming Greek bottarga (grey mullet fish roe) in individuals with at least one metabolic abnormality (low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, obesity, or HbA1c ≥ 5.7%) or a diagnosis of diabetes. Before initiating the crossover randomized controlled trial (RCT), the investigators will conduct a preliminary dose-testing study in five adults with at least one metabolic abnormality. Participants will undergo clinical assessments before and after the dietary intervention to evaluate changes in metabolic health markers. Following this phase, the investigators will proceed with a randomized, controlled crossover trial involving 20 eligible adult participants. This main study phase will compare the metabolic effects of daily bottarga supplementation with those of a calorically matched dairy product over an 8-week intervention period, with a 2-week washout period between interventions. The investigators anticipate that bottarga supplementation will improve lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and insulin resistance, thereby supporting the potential use of sustainable blue foods as part of a healthy diet.

Who can take part

Age range

18 Years to 60 Years

Sex

All (male and female)

Healthy volunteers

No - a diagnosis or condition is required

Phase

Not applicable (e.g. observational or device study)

Study type

Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment)

Eligibility criteria (as published)

* Adults aged 18-60 years * Residents of Massachusetts * Presence of at least one metabolic abnormality (low HDL cholesterol, elevated LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, obesity, or HbA1c ≥ 5.7%) or a diagnosis of diabetes * Not pregnant * Willing to consume a nutritional supplement and comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * Use of any medications for diabetes (except metformin), dyslipidemia (except statins), or immunosuppression * Current use of any supplements containing n-3 fatty acids * Current use of illicit drugs (other than marijuana) * Use of hormone therapy (except oral contraceptives) * Known allergies to fish, seafood, or any fish-derived products, including bottarga * Pregnancy * Clinical evidence or history of hepatic or renal insufficiency * Immunodeficiency conditions * History of non-skin cancer * Participation in other clinical research studies

Where it is running

1 location listed across 1 US state.

Cambridge Health Alliance - Sommerville, Massachusetts, United States

Read the full protocol, contacts and eligibility on ClinicalTrials.gov →