Hay-aged cheese to lower high cholesterol by changing gut bacteria
Investigating The Potential Of A Hay-Aged Cheese To Reduce Cholesterol As Mediated By Changes In The Gut Microbiome: A Randomised Control Trial
We will test whether eating 30 g of hay-aged artisan cheese every day for 12 weeks can lower total cholesterol in adults with mildly elevated cholesterol.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Reading Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Reading) |
| Trial ID | NCT07351175 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults aged 18–65 with total cholesterol 5.5–7.5 mmol/L and BMI 18–32 kg/m2 will be randomized in parallel to eat 30 g daily of either a hay-aged artisan cheese or a cheddar control for 12 weeks. Blood will be sampled to measure total cholesterol, and stool and urine will be collected for gut microbiome DNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid analysis. The primary question is whether the hay-aged cheese reduces total cholesterol by at least 0.5 mmol/L compared with control and whether any cholesterol change is reflected in microbiome composition or metabolite activity. People with recent antibiotic use, chronic gut disorders, or medications that affect lipids or gut function are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–65 who regularly eat cheese, have total cholesterol between 5.5 and 7.5 mmol/L, a BMI of 18–32, and who are not taking antibiotics or lipid-modifying medications are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with very high cholesterol (>7.5 mmol/L), on cholesterol-lowering drugs, with chronic gut diseases, recent antibiotic use, or other excluded conditions are unlikely to benefit or qualify.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, this could offer a simple daily food-based option to modestly lower total cholesterol and favorably change gut microbiome activity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational and laboratory work shows cheese cultures can persist in the gut, some cheeses are linked with lower cholesterol, and hay-aged cheese increased propionate in gut models, but randomized human evidence for this specific cheese is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants aged 18 to 65 years old * Regular consumer of cheese * In generally good health but with total cholesterol level between 5.5-7.5 mmol/l and body mass index (BMI) between 18-32 kg/m2 at screening visit * Willing and able to comply with study instructions Exclusion Criteria: * Use of antibiotics in the last 6 months prior to the study. * Use of prebiotics, probiotics, laxatives, anti-spasmodic, anti-diarrhoeals, herb supplements in the last 4 weeks prior to or during the study period. * Any chronic gut disorders/disease such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, etc or other conditions that might affect the gut environment e.g. coeliac disease. * High blood pressure, anaemia, high blood lipids (total cholesterol \>7.5mmol/l), or inflammatory conditions * Taking medication for anaemia, high blood pressure, high blood lipids , inflammatory conditions or depression * Anyone diagnosed with vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, heart disease (previous stroke or heart attack) or have a pacemaker, kidney, bowel or liver diseases, cancer or hormone abnormalities. * Pregnant, lactating, breast feeding or planning a pregnancy within the next 6 months * Peri- or postmenopausal women * Lost more than 3kg of body weight in the last 6 months * Food allergies and intolerances * Participants currently involved or will be involved in another clinical or food study in the previous 3 months
Where this trial is running
Reading
- University of Reading, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences — Reading, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anisha Wijeyesekera — University of Reading
- Study coordinator: Sabrina I Longley
- Email: s.i.c.longley@pgr.reading.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 7587142910
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.