Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01030354

Effects of Protein-Enriched Meal on Liver, Kidney or Bone: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study will examine whether a higher protein meal replacement diet (consisting of 1 gram of protein per pound lean body mass) is more effective in causing weight loss compared to a standard meal replacement protein diet (consisting of ½ gram of protein per pound of lean body mass). The study will assign approximately 100 subjects (50 each) to the following arms 1) higher meal replacement diet program 2) standard meal replacement diet program. All participants will meet with a registered dietitian to provide nutrition education and behavior modification, including general exercise recommendations. As part of your participation, you must be willing to undergo a measurement of body fat, and blood tests, and be willing to use Herbalife Meal replacements as part of your diet for the duration of the study (one year).

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Weight Reduction Body Weight Body Weight Changes Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Weight Loss Weight Management

Age range

30 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2 / Phase 3

Primary location

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, 90095, United States

About this study

There is concern that excess protein intake may be damaging to liver, renal function, and bone health. This study was designed to compare the effects of a high protein (HP) and an isocaloric meal standard protein (SP) weight loss plan on liver function, renal function and bone metabolism.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 30 years and older at screening
  • Female subjects must have a negative pregnancy test at screening, must be surgically sterile or at least 6 months postmenopausal or must use a form of birth control measure. Hormonal birth control, IUD, or abstinence will be acceptable as birth control measures. Other types of birth controls such as condom, diaphragm, or sponges may not be considered adequate forms of birth control measures in this study.
  • BMI of 27 to 40 kg/m2 inclusive.
  • Subjects must be in good health as determined by medical history, physical examination, and screening clinical laboratory including chemistry panel and CBC.

h. Must have stable smoking habits (or be non-smokers) for at least 6 months prior to screening and agree not to intend to change such habits during the course of the study.

i. Subjects requiring the regular use of any prescription medication may be admitted to the study providing the dose is stable.

j. Ethical

Subject must sign the Institutional Review Board-approved written informed consent prior to he initiation of any study specific procedures or randomization. A subject will be excluded for any condition that might compromise the ability to give truly informed consent for participation in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Weight Stability. Any subject who reports weight change of > 3.0 kg in the month prior to screening.
  • Any subject who has been on a very low calorie diet ( < 800 kcal/day) for a period of 4 months or more in the 12 months prior to screening, or who has lost > 10 kg in the 6 months prior to screening.
  • Use of any other investigational drug (s) within 8 weeks prior to screening.
  • Abnormal laboratory parameters: Serum creatinine > 1.6 mg/dl, Liver function tests, ALT, AST, Bili results > 2.0 times the upper limit of normal. Triglycerides > 500 mg/dl, total cholesterol > 350 mg/dl, TSH outside of normal range.
  • Subjects who drink more than 1 alcoholic beverages per day.

Treatment and study plan

Herbalife Meal Replacements

Dietary Supplement

Higher protein meal replacement diet based on 1 gram of protein per pound of lean body mass will improve weight loss in comparison to a standard protein meal replacement diet based on ½ gram of protein per pound of lean body mass

Primary outcomes

  1. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in weight.

    Time frame: Baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Secondary endpoints are changes in fasting plasma glucose levels associated with weight loss, insulin, blood pressure, lipid levels and body fat.

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, Los Angeles

Other

Collaborators

  • Herbalife International of America, Inc.
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2004
Primary completion
2005
Study completion
2005
First posted
Dec 11, 2009
Registry last updated
May 25, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.