Investigating how diet affects gut bacteria and blood vessel health

Application of a novel dietary pattern predictive of trimethylamine N-oxide production to examine associations with metabolomic profiles, the gut microbiome, and vascular health

NIH-funded research State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-10898570

This study is looking at how what you eat can affect your heart and blood vessel health, especially for post-menopausal women, by seeing how certain foods change the gut bacteria and a substance called TMAO in your body.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Amherst, United States)
Project IDNIH-10898570 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between dietary patterns and vascular health, particularly focusing on how certain foods can influence the gut microbiome and the production of a metabolite called trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). By analyzing data from post-menopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative, the study aims to understand how an overall dietary pattern impacts TMAO production and vascular health. The approach includes non-invasive measurements of blood vessel caliber, providing insights into how diet can affect cardiovascular health without the need for invasive procedures.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are post-menopausal women who are concerned about their cardiovascular health and dietary habits.

Not a fit: Patients who are not post-menopausal or those without concerns related to cardiovascular health may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that improve vascular health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of diet on gut microbiome and cardiovascular health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Amherst, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.