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How Animal and Plant Protein Shakes Change the Body's Nutrient and Health Responses

University of Pittsburgh · NCT07121010

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–65 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
20
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
March 24, 2026
Record last updated
October 6, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how different protein types affect the body's metabolism and immune system in healthy adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does drinking smoothies with animal-based or plant-based protein change the level of amino acids like leucine in the blood?

Does adding leucine to a plant-based smoothie make the body respond like it does to an animal-based smoothie?

Participants will

Come to the research clinic for 3 study visits

Drink a high-protein smoothie at each visit (one with animal protein, one with plant protein, and one with plant protein + leucine)

Give blood samples before and 1 and 3 hours after each smoothie

Researchers will look at how the body's metabolism and immune system respond. They are especially interested in a pathway called mTOR, which helps control how cells use nutrients and may be involved in heart disease like atherosclerosis.

All smoothies are prepared to meet Halal and Kosher dietary guidelines.

Being studied: Animal-Based Protein Smoothie; Plant-Based Protein Smoothie; Plant-Based Protein Smoothie with Leucine

Conditions: Cardiometabolic Health

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-65 years
  • BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m²
  • Generally healthy, without known chronic illness and/or treatment with chronic medications
  • Willing to comply with dietary restrictions and study procedures
  • Not currently following a prescribed or restrictive diet (for example, vegan, ketogenic or high-protein regimen) or regularly taking high-protein supplements

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders
  • Active use of anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, or lipid-lowering medications
  • Renal or hepatic dysfunction
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Allergies or intolerances to components of study meals. A list of the smoothie ingredients will be sent to the potential participant with the mailing of the consent form
  • Participation in another interventional study within the last 30 days

Recruiting US locations

  • UPMC Montefiore - Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)

    Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Ali Ajam, MD · 412-512-1044 · ala449@pitt.edu
  • Babak Razani, MD-PhD · 412-648-7496 · brazani@pitt.edu
All heart & blood pressure studies in Pennsylvania →
How Animal and Plant Protein Shakes Change the Body's Nutrient and… (NCT07121010) | Bored Studies