(P30-047-24) Metabolic Response Variability Following High-Fat and High-Carbohydrate Meals: A Study Protocol

Objectives: Recently, some research has shown wide between-person variability in metabolic responses to the same foods; however, the reasons for this variability are not well understood. This pilot study aims to test the hypothesis that lifestyle behaviors contribute significantly to variability in metabolic outcomes after high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals. Understanding the associations between variability in lifestyle behaviors and variability in postprandial lipemia and glycemia is critical for informing recommendations for improving metabolic health.

Methods: Fifty healthy adults (aged 18–65yrs) will be recruited to this randomized crossover study, where they will consume either three standardized high-fat or three standardized high-carbohydrate meals, and then cross over to the other meal condition. Each group will undergo six total assessment visits within a 2-month period, with a minimum 48-hour washout between visits. During visits, participants will consume
a test meal, and lipidemic and glycemic responses will be assessed using continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom G7) and finger-sticks. Capillary blood lipid levels will be measured at baseline and two and four hours post-test meal (Cholestec LDX). Accelerometry (Fibion SENS) will be used at baseline to measure physical activity levels. At each visit, questionnaires will gauge lifestyle behaviors (sleep, stress, dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) over the previous 48 hours. Fecal samples will be collected for gut microbiota analysis via 16SrRNA sequencing. Results will include the ratio of healthful to unhealthful gut microbes and alpha and beta diversity will be determined. Primary study outcomes include the variability in metabolic responses to meal types, both within and between participants. Associations between lifestyle behaviors and meal responses, plus variability across the six visits will be determined.

Results: N/A - Study Protocol Abstract

Conclusions: Results from this randomized crossover study will enhance our understanding of the role of lifestyle behaviors in metabolic response variability. These results will add to the body of literature that informs recommendations for optimizing metabolic responses to different foods.

Funding Sources: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Integrated Health Sciences