How Cricket Powder Affects Gut Microbiome and Cholesterol Metabolism

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy, aged in the 20 - 60 range
• BMI (Body Mass Index) in the range of 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2
• No underlying diseases
• No gastrointestinal surgery
• The fasting blood parameters of total cholesterol and LDL-C are higher than 200 mg/dL and 130 - 189 mg/dL, respectively.
• The fasting blood triglyceride must be less than 500 mg/dL.
• The fasting blood glucose must be less than 110 mg/dL.
• ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) must be less than 60 units/L.
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) must be at least 90 mL/min/1.73 m2.
• Blood pressure must be less than 160/90 mmHg.
• Heart rate must be less than 100 times/minute.
• No smoking
• Be able to consume pork congee

Exclusion criteria

• Allergic to insects, chitin, chitosan, shrimp, dust mites, and other crustacean products
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Participating in other research projects, and receiving drugs, herbs, and supplements
• Receiving steroid, antibiotic, or other drugs that may affect lipid metabolism
• Consuming alcohol more than 2 drinks per day e.g., beer of 24 ounces, wine of 10 ounces, and distilled spirits of 3 ounces
• Regularly consuming probiotic products and cannot stop consuming them
• Having histories of diabetes, chronic liver diseases, chronic kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, anemia, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or anaphylaxis