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Cardiometabolic RiskNOVANCT06538831

Impact of Ultra-processed Foods on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

A study testing Diet N-P-, Diet N+P- and Diet N-P+ in people with Cardiometabolic Risk, run by Laval University at 1 site in Canada.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine in a 2x2 factorial RCT what feature(s) of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contribute to cardiometabolic risk in men and women. The project's hypotheses are : 1. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Cardiometabolic Risk
What is being tested?
Diet N-P-, Diet N+P- and Diet N-P+
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
120 participants
Where
1 siteCanada
Study dates
25 Sep 2024to 31 Aug 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index (BMI):18 to 35 kg/m2
  • Stable weight over the last 3 months (variation of less than 5 kg)
  • LDL-cholesterol < 5.0 mmol/L
  • HbA1c < 6.5%
  • Office blood pressure <150/90 mmHg
  • Non-smokers or smokers of less than 10 cigarettes a day

Who cannot join

  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women
  • Alcohol consumption of more than 7 drinks per week
  • Women: contraceptives for less than 3 months or hormone therapy for less than 6 months
  • Medication to treat hypercholesterolemia, diabetes or hypertension
  • Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer
  • Food allergies or aversions to any of the foods on the experimental menus
  • Being on a diet or following a special diet
  • Daytime MAPA blood pressure >150/90

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Centre Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), INAF, Université Laval

    Québec, Quebec, G1V 0A6

    Benoît Lamarche, PhD, 418-656-3527, benoit.lamarche@fsaa.ulaval.ca

    Iris Gigleux, MSc, 418-656-2131 ext. 405087, iris.gigleux@fsaa.ulaval.ca

    Recruiting

Other trials in Canada

About this study

Official title: A 2x2 Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial to Elucidate How Ultra-processed Foods Modulate Cardiometabolic Risk

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine in a 2x2 factorial RCT what feature(s) of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contribute to cardiometabolic risk in men and women. The project's hypotheses are :

  1. that the nutrient composition of UPFs (high SFA, free sugar and sodium) per se has deleterious impacts on cardiometabolic risk factors;
  2. that the industrial techniques and processes of UPFs per se do not.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 4 groups consistent with the 2x2 factorial design of the study: 1- the nutrient composition of foods (low vs. high in SFA, free sugar and sodium) and 2- the degree of industrial techniques and food processing (little to no vs.important amounts of UPFs). All foods will be provided to participants under isocaloric conditions during the 6-week dietary intervention. Participants will have to consume one of the 4 experimental diets for 6 weeks.

Read the detailed description

This study is a parallel group 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial, in which diet is fully controlled. A total of 120 men and women covering a broad range of adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors will be randomly assigned to one of four 6-week experimental diets:

  1. A diet low in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), free sugar and sodium, with low ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
  2. A diet rich in SFAs, free sugar and sodium, with low UPFs;
  3. A diet low in SFAs, free sugar and sodium, with high levels of UPFs;
  4. A diet rich in SFAs, free sugar and sodium, with high levels of UPFs.

All foods in this full-feeding trial will be managed or prepared by food technicians at the Clinical Investigation Unit of our research center. A cyclic seven-day menu plan will be developed with similar foods across the four diets. Classifications of the degree of food processing will be made using NOVA classification. NOVA identifies four categories of foods based on the degree of food processing: 1- Unprocessed or minimally processed foods, 2- Processed Culinary Ingredients, 3- Processed Food and 4- Ultra-processed foods (UPFs). The two diets high in UPFs will predominantly feature commercially-bought foods classified as NOVA-4, while the two diets low in UPFs diets will predominantly include foods prepared in our metabolic kitchen (NOVA 1 to 3). Diets will be provided under isocaloric conditions to maintain body weight constant. The breakfast meal will represent approximately 30% of the daily energy intake in each diet, whereas the lunch and dinner meals each will provide about 35% of daily energy intake. Participants will have to come to the research center 3 to 5 times a week during the 6-week intervention to collect their meals and be weighed. Primary and secondary outcomes will be measured at the beginning and at the end of the 6-wk diet intervention.

The specifics objectives of this 2x2 factorial RCT are:

Obj 1: To assess the impact of the nutrient composition of UPFs on cardiometabolic risk, independent of variations in industrial techniques and processes (factor 1).

Obj 2: To assess the impact of industrial techniques and processes of UPFs on cardiometabolic risk, independent of variations in nutrient composition (factor 2).

Being tested
Diet N-P-, Diet N+P-, Diet N-P+, Diet N+P+

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Diet N-P-Other

    Low in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), free sugar and sodium; Low in ultra-processed foods (UPFs)

  • Diet N+P-Other

    Rich in SFAs, free sugar and sodium; Low in UPFs

  • Diet N-P+Other

    Low in SFAs, free sugar and sodium; High in UPFs

  • Diet N+P+Other

    Rich in SFAs, free sugar and sodium; High in UPFs

Study groups in NCT06538831
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Diet N-P-ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Other: Diet N-P-
Diet N+P-ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Other: Diet N+P-
Diet N-P+ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Other: Diet N-P+
Diet N+P+ExperimentalNot described
Receives: Other: Diet N+P+

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Post treatment fasting LDL-C concentrations

    Fasting serum LDL-C concentrations (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for LDL-C concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  2. Post treatment insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR)

    Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) will be measured in the fasted state at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) values measured in the fasted state at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  3. Post treatment day-time ambulatory systolic blood pressure

    Day-time ambulatory systolic blood pressure will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group. Analyses will be adjusted for day-time ambulatory systolic blood pressure values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Post treatment fasting triglyceride

    Fasting serum triglyceride (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for triglyceride concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  2. Post treatment ApoB-100

    Fasting serum ApoB-100 (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for ApoB-100 concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  3. Post treatment HDL-C concentrations

    Fasting serum HDL-C concentrations (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for HDL-C concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  4. Post treatment fasting glucose concentrations

    Fasting serum glucose concentrations (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for glucose concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  5. Post treatment fasting insulin concentrations

    Fasting serum insulin concentrations (mmol/L) will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group, on two consecutive days post-treatment. The mean of the two post-treatment values will be used in the analyses. Analyses will be adjusted for insulin concentrations values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  6. Post treatment day-time ambulatory diastolic blood pressure

    Day-time ambulatory diastolic blood pressure will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group. Analyses will be adjusted for day-time ambulatory diastolic blood pressure values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  7. Post treatment 24-hr ambulatory systolic blood pressure

    24-hr ambulatory systolic blood pressure will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group. Analyses will be adjusted for 24-hr ambulatory systolic blood pressure values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  8. Post treatment 24-hr ambulatory diastolic blood pressure

    24-hr ambulatory diastolic blood pressure will be measured at the end of the 6-wk intervention in all subjects in each group. Analyses will be adjusted for 24-hr ambulatory diastolic blood pressure values measured at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  9. On-treatment Diet palatability

    These are exploratory analyses. Scales measuring diet palatability will be completed during the same three days of the 7-day cycling menu during the first and last week of the 6-wk intervention. The mean of all measurements will be used in the analyses. Title of the scale: Main course evaluation.

    Minimum and maximum values : 1 to 8 . Higher scores are not synonymous of better or worse results.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  10. On-treatment Perceived healthiness of meals

    These are exploratory analyses. Scales measuring perceived healthiness of meals will be completed during the same three days of the 7-day cycling menu during the first and last week of the 6-wk intervention. The mean of all measurements will be used in the analyses. Title of the scale: Opinion on your main course. Minimum and maximum values : 1 to 8 . Higher scores are not synonymous of better or worse results.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  11. On-treatment Hunger and fullness perceptions

    These are exploratory analyses. Scales measuring hunger and fullness perceptions will be completed during the same three days of the 7-day cycling menu during the first and last week of the 6-wk intervention. The mean of all measurements will be used in the analyses.

    Title of the scale: Visual Analogue Scale - How hungry do you feel? Minimum and maximum values : Not hungry at all to very hungry. Higher scores are not synonymous with better or worse results.

    Title of the scale: Visual Analogue Scale - How full do you feel? Minimum and maximum values : Not at all full to very full. Higher scores are not synonymous of better or worse results.

    Measured: 6 weeks

  12. Post-treatment Gut microbiota

    These are exploratory analyses in a subset of participants only. Deep 16S rDNA metagenomic analysis in feces collected at week 6 will be used to characterize gut microbiota composition and function. Analyses will be adjusted for baseline values of gut microbiota composition and function measured on fecal samples collected at baseline.

    Measured: 6 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Aug 2024
  2. Study start25 Sep 2024
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Aug 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Model description
Parallel group 2x2 factorial randomized controlled trial in fully controlled feeding conditions
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
120 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06538831
Sponsor's protocol ID
NUTRISS-NOVA-2024-219
Acronym
NOVA
Status last verified
Oct 2024
First submitted
31 Jul 2024
Last updated
17 Oct 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Publications

  • Rochette M, Charest A, Gigleux I, Couture P, Provencher V, Lamarche B. How ultra-processed foods modulate cardiometabolic risk: A 2 x 2 factorial randomized controlled trial protocol in healthy adults. Contemp Clin Trials. 2026 Jun;165:108323. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2026.108323. Epub 2026 Apr 20.

    PubMed 42019675

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Diet N-P-, Diet N+P- and Diet N-P+ in people with Cardiometabolic Risk, run by Laval University at 1 site in Canada.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Oct 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Benoît Lamarche, PhD (418-656-3527, benoit.lamarche@fsaa.ulaval.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Post treatment fasting LDL-C concentrations (time frame: 6 weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06538831, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Oct 2024.

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