Anti-inflammatory Activities of Vitamin C Supplementation on the Gut Barrier Function in Adults With Obesity

Conditions

• Adequate Vitamin C Status
• Inadequate Vitamin C Status

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 50 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Vitamin C Supplement + Low Vitamin C Diet — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
  Participants will receive a vitamin C supplement (1000 mg/d) while following a low vitamin C diet to achieve adequate vitamin C status in a blinded manner. This will be compared to participants receiving a placebo while following a low vitamin C diet that is expected to maintain inadequate vitamin C status.
• Placebo + Low Vitamin C Diet — DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
  Participants will receive a placebo while following a low vitamin C diet to achieve inadequate vitamin C status in a blinded manner. This will be compared to participants receiving a vitamin C supplement while following a low vitamin C diet that is expected to maintain adequate vitamin C status.

Study Details

This study is testing whether taking vitamin C every day can help improve gut health and reduce inflammation in adults with obesity. Poor gut health-sometimes called "leaky gut"-can allow harmful substances from bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which may lead to inflammation and increase the risk of heart disease and liver problems. Participants will complete two study periods, each lasting two weeks, with a two-week break in between. In one period, they will take vitamin C; in the other, a placebo. During each period, researchers will collect blood, urine, and stool samples, ask participants to track their diet and activity, and perform a test to measure gut permeability. There are minimal risks, such as discomfort from blood draws or temporary stomach upset from a sugar drink. While participants may not directly benefit, their involvement will help researchers learn whether vitamin C is a safe and effective way to improve gut health in people with obesity.

Key Dates

Start date

Oct 1, 2025

Status verified

Oct 2025

Primary completion

Jun 30, 2026

Completion

Dec 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment

34 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

• Placebo Comparator: Inadequate Vitamin C Status
  Placebo + Low Vitamin C Diet
• Experimental: Adequate Vitamin C Status
  Vitamin C Supplement + Low Vitamin C Diet

Primary Outcome Measure

Small Intestinal Permeability [ Time Frame: Between-treatment arm comparison on day 14 following 2-week intervention. ]

Central Contacts

• Study Coordinator
  614-292-4751
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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