Comparing a Healthy Beef-Centric Diet to a Healthy U.S.-Style Diet on Metabolic Health Outcomes in Pre-Diabetic Adults

This study follows a randomized, open-label, parallel design to compare the effects of a healthy beef-centric diet to a healthy U.S.-style dietary pattern on inflammation and other metabolic health outcomes in a metabolic syndrome and/or pre-diabetic population.

The comparator diet in this study is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Pattern, as outlined in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasizes the consumption of nutrient-dense foods across all food groups in recommended amounts. This includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein sources, and healthy oils, while limiting added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

The test diet in this study involves a healthy beef-centric diet, where beef is the main source of protein. Participants will consume 70% of their daily energy intake from beef. The rest of their calories will come from other protein and fat sources (20%), along with a small amount (10%) from low-carbohydrate fruits (such as berries) and vegetables (like dark leafy greens). This diet excludes all grains. While the carbohydrate intake is low, it is slightly higher than that of a typical ketogenic diet.

The healthy beef-centric diet is being investigated for its effects on metabolic health after a 5 week intervention period. This study will investigate whether a beef-centric diet will support management of glycemic control, inflammation, and lipid-related risk factors, while also enhancing quality of life.

Inclusion criteria

• Participant must be 18 - 74 years of age (inclusive) at the time of signing the informed consent.
• Have a BMI range of 23.0 - 39.9 kg/m2 (inclusive).
• In otherwise generally good health as determined by the investigator.
• Have blood hs-CRP levels equal to or greater than 2.0 mg/L at screening.
• Have the following conditions at screening:

• Pre-diabetes (defined as an HbA1c of 5.7-6.4% [inclusive]), and/or
• MetS, i.e., have 3 of the 5 following metabolic criteria:

• A waist circumference of more than 40 inches (102 cm) in men and 35 inches (88 cm) in women
• Serum triglycerides level of 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L) or greater
• Reduced HDL cholesterol, less than 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in men or less than 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women
• Elevated fasting glucose of 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) or greater
• Blood pressure values of systolic 130 mmHg or higher or diastolic 85 mmHg or higher
• Report low to moderate levels of physical activity, as defined by a "low" or "moderate" activity classification on the IPAQ-SF (if ≤69 YOA) or IPAQ-E (if ≥70 YOA) at screening.
• Consume meat-based protein as a part of their normal diet and regularly consume beef.
• Not currently using, defined as ≤ 3 uses in the past 3 months prior to Visit 2, any nicotine containing products (patches, gums, vapes, etc.), and willing to abstain for 14 days before Visit 2 until the last procedure.
• Have maintained a stable, self-reported body weight for at least 6 months prior to screening (maximum ±10% change in self-reported body weight).
• Willing and able to consume all aspects of either study dietary intervention.
• Willing to adhere to all study dietary intervention prohibitions and restrictions.
• Have maintained consistent dietary habits, including medication and supplement intake, and lifestyle for the last 3 months before screening and agree to maintain them throughout the study (unless required per the restrictions).
• Agree to follow the restrictions on concomitant treatments.
• Agree to follow the restrictions on lifestyle.
• Agree to avoid pregnancy throughout the study if of childbearing potential by using any preferred contraceptive method.
• Willing and able to agree to the requirements of this study, be willing to give voluntary consent, be able to understand and read the questionnaires, and carry out all study-related procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals who are lactating, planning to become pregnant during the study, or pregnant as confirmed by a positive pregnancy test at Visit 2.
• Have a known sensitivity, intolerability, or allergy to any of the components of the study dietary interventions and/or CGM sensor.
• Have followed and maintained a ketogenic, Mediterranean, low-carbohydrate, vegetarian, vegan or any other special diet in the 3 months prior to screening.
• Have been diagnosed with Type I or II diabetes or thyroid disease.
• Have blood pressure of ≥ 160 systolic or ≥ 100 diastolic mmHg.
• Have a history or current diagnosis of eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
• Have current symptoms, or symptoms within the past 7 days, of an acute infection (e.g., fever, respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough or difficulty breathing), that may influence study outcomes as assessed by the investigator.
• Have medical condition(s) known to interfere with absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of protein, fat, or micronutrients (e.g., Crohn's disease, short bowel, acute or chronic pancreatitis, or pancreatic insufficiency).
• Have a history of gallbladder disease (e.g., cholelithiasis, cholecystitis), cholecystectomy, gout, or kidney stones.
• Have a history of heart/cardiovascular disease, renal disease (dialysis or renal failure), hepatic impairment/disease, immune disorders and/or immunocompromised (i.e., HIV/AIDS).
• Have a history of cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer) with recovery occurring within 5 years before the screening visit.
• Are receiving treatments for or have been hospitalized in the last 12 months for psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.).
• Major surgery in 3 months prior to screening or planned major surgery during the study.
• Have a history of alcohol or substance abuse in the 12 months prior to screening (including having been hospitalized for such an in-patient or out-patient intervention program) or use that in the opinion of the investigator may be a concern for the study.
• Current enrollment or past participation in another study with either any product(s) with at least one active ingredient or a dietary intervention, within 28 days before screening or longer, if the previous test product is deemed by the investigator to have lasting effects that might influence the eligibility criteria or outcomes of current study.
• Living in the same household as another currently enrolled participant in the present study.
• Any other medical condition/situation or use of medications/supplements/therapies that, in the opinion of the investigator, may adversely affect the participant's ability to participate in the study or its measures or pose a significant risk to the participant.