Beta-glucan added to a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet to help overweight women lose weight and body fat

Beta-glucan Supplementation During Calorie and Carbohydrate-restricted Diet: Impact on Body Weight and Body Fat Loss, Subjective Appetite, and Gastrointestinal Appetite Hormones of Healthy Women With Overweight.

Not applicable Interventional University of Glasgow · NCT07299942

This trial will test whether taking 9 g/day of beta-glucan with a calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diet helps women with overweight or obesity lose weight, reduce body fat, and feel less hungry.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Glasgow Academic / other
Locations1 site (Glasgow)
Trial IDNCT07299942 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial will enroll about 60 sedentary women aged 18–60 with BMI 25–39.9 kg/m2 to compare 9 g/day beta-glucan versus 9 g/day cellulose over a 4-week calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diet. Breakfasts and dinners will be energy-restricted meal replacements (200 kcal each) and lunches will be low-carbohydrate meals, with both groups following the same diet plan. Outcomes include body weight, body fat, subjective appetite measures, and gastrointestinal appetite hormones measured before and after the intervention. Randomization is 1:1 and study packs are labeled by an independent person to maintain blinding.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are sedentary women aged 18–60 with BMI 25–39.9 kg/m2, stable weight for ≥3 months, non-smokers, not pregnant or lactating, exercising ≤75 minutes/week, not following vegan/vegetarian diets, and not taking dietary supplements.

Not a fit: Men, people outside the age or BMI range, pregnant or lactating women, smokers, high exercisers, those on vegan/vegetarian diets, or people already taking supplements are unlikely to be eligible and therefore may not receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding beta-glucan could modestly increase short-term weight and body fat loss and help reduce hunger during calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diets for women with overweight or obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies of soluble fibers like beta-glucan have shown modest benefits for satiety and metabolic markers, but using concentrated beta-glucan with a short-term calorie- and carbohydrate-restricted diet for body-fat loss is relatively under-studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy females living with overweight or obese (BMI of 25 - 39.9 kg/m2).
* Age between 18 to 60 years.
* Stable body weight for at least 3 months preceding the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Smokers
* Irregular menstrual cycle
* Exercising more than 75min a week
* Pregnant or lactating
* Food allergies
* Vegan or vegetarian or follow any diet other than the typical Western diet.
* Taking dietary supplement at the time of the study.

Where this trial is running

Glasgow

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Overweight and Obese Womenoverweight, obesity, body weigh loss, beta-glucan, appetite
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.