MRE Consumption and Gut Health

United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Status

Completed

Conditions

Gastrointestinal Tract

Treatments

Other: MRE

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT02423551

15-12HC

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study is to determine the impact of consuming MREs as the sole source of subsistence for 21 days on gut bacteria community composition and gut health. Up to 80 free-living adults will be randomized to consume their usual diet or only MREs for 21 consecutive days. MREs will be provided by the Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM). Fecal, urine and blood samples will be collected periodically before, during and after the intervention to measure gut barrier integrity, gut bacteria community composition, and markers of gut health, inflammation, and nutritional status.

Enrollment

71 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 62 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

BMI </= 30

Exclusion criteria

Use of antiobiotcs within 3 months of study participation
Use of pro- or prebiotic supplements within 2 weeks of study participation
Vegetarian diets
Use of laxatives, stool softeners, or anti-diarrheal medications at least once a week.
Fewer than 4 bowel movements, on average, per week
History of gastrointestinal disease
Colonoscopy within 3 months of study participation
Food allergies or aversions or other issues with foods that would preclude MRE consumption, including gluten, milk, nuts, or eggs.
Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or antihistamine prescribed by a physician or clinician, or unwillingness to discontinue the use of these substances during the study.
Actively trying to lose weight
Pregnant or lactating
Recent blood donation