Using rice bran in therapeutic foods to treat childhood malnutrition
Official title: Rice bran in ready-to-use therapeutic foods for microbiota-targeted treatment of childhood malnutrition
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-10750478 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how adding rice bran to special foods for kids with severe malnutrition can help them get better by improving their gut health and reducing the chances of getting sick again.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $416,555 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD113211-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10750478 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not suffering from severe acute malnutrition or are older than 11 years may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of rice bran in ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) to improve treatment outcomes for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The study focuses on how rice bran, which is rich in prebiotics, can positively influence gut health and microbiota during recovery from malnutrition. By conducting a double-blinded, randomized control trial, the research aims to assess the effectiveness of this innovative approach in enhancing gut microbiome health and reducing the risk of infection and relapse in malnourished children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery and long-term health outcomes for children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results with prebiotic-rich foods in improving gut health, making this approach a potentially valuable advancement in malnutrition treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ryan, Elizabeth P — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Ryan, Elizabeth P
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.