Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06086795

Investigating Age-dependent Effects of Egg Intake on HDL and Immune Profiles

The goal of this intervention study is to determine whether consumption of different fractions of chicken eggs, including egg whites, egg yolks, and whole eggs, confer different changes in markers of HDL function and T cell profiles in younger vs. older men and women. The study will address the following objectives:

* Objective 1: Determine if daily consumption of egg fractions differentially alter HDL profiles across age groups. * Objective 2: Determine if daily consumption of egg fractions differentially alter immune cell profiles across age groups.

Participants will be asked to consume egg whites, egg yolks, and whole eggs on a daily basis for 4-weeks each, and avoid eating eggs for a total of 8 weeks at different points in the study. Participants will additionally be provided guidance on following a generally healthy diet, and will be asked to complete surveys about dietary intake and physical activity, as well as provide blood samples throughout the course of the study.

Researchers will compare whether daily consumption of egg whites, egg yolks, and whole eggs differentially alter markers of HDL function and T cell profiles in younger vs. older adults.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Lipoproteins Inflammatory Response

Age range

18 year–75 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-30 years old, or 50-75 years old (at time of screening)
  • Body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2
  • Willing to consume whole eggs, egg whites, or egg yolks on a daily basis during study periods, and refrain from eating eggs during other study periods
  • Do not fit any exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • < 18 years old; 31-49 years old; > 75 years old
  • BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 or body weight < 110 pounds
  • Weight changes > 10% over the last 4 weeks
  • Self-reported history of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, renal or liver disease, cancer, eating disorders, certain severe and/or relapsing/remitting autoimmune, inflammatory, or metabolic diseases, chronic infections, scleroderma, blood clotting disorders, intravenous drug use, or current pregnancy or lactation
  • Allergy or intolerance to eggs, egg components, or egg products
  • Implanted medical device (e.g., pacemaker) or other health condition that would prevent measurement of body composition by bioelectrical impedance
  • Highly elevated fasting lipid and glucose levels (triglyceride levels higher than 500 mg/dL, fasting glucose higher than 126 mg/dL), or total cholesterol < 120 mg/dL and HDL-cholesterol < 15 mg/dL
  • Currently taking lipid-lowering medications (e.g. statins, fibrates), anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids), or medications that primarily affect blood clotting (e.g., warfarin)

Treatment and study plan

Whole Eggs

Other

3 large whole eggs per day for 4 weeks

Egg Yolks

Other

3 large egg equivalent of egg yolks per day for 4 weeks

Egg Whites

Other

3 large egg equivalent of egg whites per day for 4 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in serum concentration of large HDL particles between diet periods

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    Measurement of serum large HDL particles (nmol/L) at the egg-free run-in period and the end of each intervention arm.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Connecticut

Other

Collaborators

  • American Egg Board

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Oct 17, 2023
Registry last updated
May 5, 2026

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.