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Energy Value of Macronutrients From Pistachio Nuts and Mechanisms of Nutrient Action

This study has been completed.
Sponsor:
Collaborator:
Paramount Farms
Information provided by:
USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT00942695
First received: July 17, 2009
Last updated: February 8, 2011
Last verified: February 2011
History of Changes
  Purpose

The objective of this study is to measure the energy value of pistachios in the human diet and study molecular mechanisms that may help explain the beneficial health effects of pistachios.


Condition Intervention
Energy
Cardiovascular Disease
Cancer
 Other: 1.5PD
Other: 3.0PD
Other: control

Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Open Label
Official Title: Energy Value of Macronutrients From Pistachio Nuts and Mechanisms of Nutrient Action

Further study details as provided by USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center:

Primary Outcome Measures:
  • to measure the energy value of pistachios in the human diet [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Secondary Outcome Measures:
  • to study molecular mechanisms that may help explain the beneficial health effects of pistachios [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment: 15
Study Start Date: October 2009
Study Completion Date: December 2009
Primary Completion Date: December 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
Arms Assigned Interventions
base
average American diet without pistachios
 Other: control
average American diet without pistachios
Active Comparator: 1.5PD
average American diet plus 1.5 oz per day pistachios
 Other: 1.5PD
average American diet plus 1.5 oz per day pistachios
Active Comparator: 3.0PD
average American diet plus 3.0 oz per day pistachios
 Other: 3.0PD
average American diet plus 3.0 oz per day pistachios

Detailed Description:

Previous studies have suggested that nut consumption imparts a variety of health benefits, including reduction of cardiovascular disease and improved satiety. However, studies of pistachios are extremely limited. The aim of this study is to determine the energy value of pistachios in the human diet and to probe mechanisms by which pistachios impart health benefits. The metabolizable energy value of pistachio nuts will be calculated based on the chemical composition and energy content of the consumed diet and excreta. This will provide a better estimate of the energy value of pistachios than simply calculating energy value based on Atwater factors. In addition to determining the energy value of pistachios, we will evaluate the effects of pistachio-rich diets on plasma phytonutrient levels and on gene expression changes to determine what protective mechanisms are activated by pistachio consumption.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   25 Years to 65 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 25 to 65 years at beginning of study
  • BMI between 20 and 38 kg/m2
  • Fasting glucose < 126 mg/dl
  • Blood pressure < 160/100 (controlled with certain medications)
  • Fasting total blood cholesterol < 280 mg/dl
  • Fasting triglycerides < 300 mg/dl

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Presence of kidney disease, liver disease, gout, hyperthyroidism, untreated or unstable hypothyroidism, certain cancers, gastrointestinal disease, pancreatic disease, other metabolic diseases, or malabsorption syndromes
  • Type 2 diabetes requiring the use of oral antidiabetic agents or insulin
  • History of bariatric or certain other surgeries related to weight control
  • Smokers or other tobacco users (during 6 months prior to the start of the study)
  • Antibiotic use during the intervention or for 3 weeks prior to any intervention period
  • History of eating disorders or other dietary patterns which are not consistent with the dietary intervention (e.g., vegetarians, very low fat diets, high protein diets)
  • Volunteers who have lost 10% of body weight within the last 12 months or who plan to initiate a weight loss program during the next 10 months
  • Known (self-reported) allergy or adverse reaction to pistachios or other nuts
  • Unable or unwilling to give informed consent or communicate with study staff
  • Self-report of alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months and/or current acute treatment or rehabilitation program for these problems (long-term participation in Alcoholics Anonymous is not an exclusion)
  • Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00942695

Locations
United States, Maryland
USDA-ARS, Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
Beltsville, Maryland, United States, 20705
Sponsors and Collaborators
USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center
Paramount Farms
Investigators
Principal Investigator: David J Baer, Ph. D. USDA-ARS
  More Information

No publications provided

Responsible Party: David J. Baer, Ph. D., Principal Investigator, USDA-ARS
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00942695     History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers: 2009-109
Study First Received: July 17, 2009
Last Updated: February 8, 2011
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center:
pistachio
nuts
energy value
cardiovascular disease
 phytonutrient
gene expression
energy value of pistachio nuts

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Cardiovascular Diseases

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 19, 2013