This study will investigate how adding a specific type of dietary fat to daily meals for two weeks affects the gut bacteria and their activity. Participants will be randomly assigned to consume one of four types of fat: butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or sunflower oil (60 mL each day for 2 weeks). Stool and blood samples (after an overnight fast) will be collected at 3 time points during the study (Days 1, 7, and 22). These samples will be used to measure metabolites produced by gut bacteria, the types of bacteria present in the gut, blood lipids, and inflammatory markers. The study, based on previous in vitro findings, aims to understand whether different types of fats (based on their structure and level of saturation) have different effects on gut bacteria and their activity in healthy subjects.
Adults aged 20-50 years
Body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 30 kg/m²
Generally healthy
Stable body weight (±2 kg) over the past 2 months
Use of antibiotics within the past 3 months
Current use of medications affecting gut microbiota or cardiometabolic health
Regular use of dietary supplements that may influence study outcomes (e.g. probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, fish oil), unless willing to discontinue prior to study start
Presence of chronic gastrointestinal, metabolic, cardiovascular, hepatobiliary, or pancreatic disease
University of Glasgow
Lead sponsor
Dr Dalia Malkova
Collaborator
Professor Konstantinos Gerasimidis
Collaborator