Controlled Feeding Study
Earn Compensation and Let Us Do the Cooking! Join Our Heart-Healthy Nutrition Study
Are you looking to learn more about your health, take a break from meal prep, and earn extra money?
Biofortis is currently seeking participants for a new clinical research trial comparing the effects of heart-healthy corn oil vs. avocado oil on cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors. If you have mildly to moderately elevated cholesterol, you may be eligible to participate and help us advance important nutritional science!
Why Are We Doing This Study?
High cholesterol is a major, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Research shows that dietary modifications, such as replacing saturated fats with healthy unsaturated fats, can significantly help lower "bad" cholesterol.
Both corn oil and avocado oil are excellent sources of these healthy unsaturated fats, and both contain plant sterols (phytosterols)—natural compounds that help reduce cholesterol absorption in the body. While previous studies have shown that corn oil effectively lowers cholesterol, a direct comparison of the heart-health impacts of corn oil versus avocado oil needs to be researched more thoroughly.
The main purpose of this study is to assess and compare how these two specific oils impact cardiometabolic risk factors—like cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin levels—in men and women when consumed as part of a controlled, heart-healthy diet. By participating, you will be directly contributing to groundbreaking nutritional science that helps us better understand how to fight heart disease!
Participant Perks & Compensation
- Participants will be compensated $1,500 for the completion of 7 study visits and required tasks.
- 100% of Your Meals Provided: Say goodbye to grocery shopping! We will provide all of your meals and snacks for two 21-day periods. The diet is a heart-healthy meal plan tailored to your specific daily energy needs to help you maintain your current weight.
- Health Screenings: Receive comprehensive evaluations at no cost, including monitoring of your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.
Who Are We Looking For?
You may qualify for this study if you are a generally healthy adult who meets the following criteria:
- Men and women between 18 and 74 years of age
- Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 34.9
- Have mildly to moderately elevated "bad" cholesterol
- Willing to consume only the study-provided foods and beverages for the duration of the 21-day diet periods
What Does the Study Involve?
If you qualify, the study consists of two 21-day feeding periods, separated by a 21-day "washout" break where you return to your normal routine. During the feeding periods, you can expect to:
- Eat only the provided foods: You will consume a provided diet that includes study oils baked into daily yogurts, muffins, and dinner rolls. Aside from zero-calorie beverages like water, diet soda, black coffee, and tea, you must agree to eat only the food we provide.
- Visit our clinic daily: You will need to visit our Addison, IL clinic every weekday morning (Monday through Friday) to eat a supervised breakfast. We will send you home with a cooler packed with your lunch, dinner, and snacks for the rest of the day, as well as all your meals for the weekend.
- Attend clinic visits: The study requires 7 clinic visits for health assessments. These visits will include blood draws, physical activity questionnaires, and liquid meal tolerance tests (drinking a nutrient shake and having your blood sugar monitored).
Ready to See if You Qualify?
Spots are limited for this study. If you are ready to let us handle the cooking while you help advance nutritional science, click the link below to take our brief prescreening questionnaire!
Secure your spot and earn compensation – Apply today!
For more information, contact the Biofortis clinic at (630) 617-2000.