Increasing dietary fiber in patients with heart failure and diabetes

Fiber Supplementation to Increase Short Chain Fatty Acid Production in Patients With Type II Diabetes and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction - the FERMENT HFpEF Trial

NA · University of Michigan · NCT06337812

This study tests if adding potato starch to the diets of people with heart failure and diabetes can improve their gut health and overall well-being.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Michigan (other)
Locations1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Trial IDNCT06337812 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of dietary fiber supplementation, specifically potato starch, on the gut microbiome of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and type 2 diabetes. Participants will incorporate potato starch into their diet to assess changes in gut bacteria and the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids. The study aims to determine whether these dietary changes can improve health outcomes for individuals with these conditions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with stable HFpEF and type 2 diabetes who are on a maximally tolerated heart failure medication regimen.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of certain gastrointestinal disorders or those currently using pre- or probiotics may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance gut health and potentially improve heart failure symptoms in patients with preserved ejection fraction.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using potato starch is novel, studies on dietary fiber's impact on gut health in similar populations have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* A confirmed clinical diagnosis of stable HFpEF on maximally tolerated Heart Failure (HF) medical regimen (without changes in dosage in the prior month)
* Left ventricular ejection fraction of \>50% documented in the prior 12 months
* A confirmed clinical diagnosis of Type II diabetes (T2DM) with glycated hemoglobin \<10% without changes in medical regimen in the past month.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current usage of pre- or probiotic usage
* Antibiotic usage in the past 6 months
* Current participation in another interventional clinical trial
* History of potato allergy or potato starch allergy, inflammatory bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, bowel resection, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or colorectal cancer
* Hypoglycemic episode with blood glucose 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) within the last month
* Stage IV-V chronic kidney disease
* Pregnancy (self-reported)
* Comorbidity limiting survival to \< 12 months

Where this trial is running

Ann Arbor, Michigan

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Type2diabetes, Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction, Fiber Supplementation, Potato Starch, Gut microbiome, Resistant starch

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.