Gut-microbiota Targeted Nutritional Intervention for Gut Barrier Integrity at High Altitude

This is an interventional prevention trial for Gastrointestinal Injury focused on measuring Microbiome, Intestinal permeability, Cognition, Immune, Fiber, Military, Altitude, Polyphenol Read More

Inclusion criteria:

• Men and women aged 18 - 39 years (active duty personnel who are 17 yr of age will also be allowed to participate)
• In good health
• Physically active
• For active duty, passed most recent body composition assessment; for civilians, body mass index (BMI) ≤ 30.0 kg/m2.
• Self-reports having a bowel movement at least as frequently as every-other-day
• Self-reports normal vision (with or without glasses) and hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

• Born at altitudes greater than 2,100 m (~7,000 feet)
• Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (~4,000 feet), or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 mo
• Pregnant, expecting to become pregnant during study, or breastfeeding

• Any of the following medical conditions:

  1. Musculoskeletal injuries that compromise exercise capability
  2. Metabolic or cardiovascular abnormalities (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
  3. Suspected or known strictures, fistulas, or physiological/mechanical GI obstruction
  4. Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders
  5. Evidence of prior high altitude pulmonary or cerebral edema diagnosis
  6. Disease of the GI tract including, but not limited to diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
  7. Anemia or Sickle Cell Anemia/Trait
  8. Alcoholism or other substance abuse issues
  9. History of gastric bezoar
  10. Swallowing disorders; severe dysphagia to food or pills
  11. Implanted or portable electro-mechanical medical devices
  12. Allergy to skin adhesive
• Past GI surgery
• Colonoscopy within 3 months of study participation
• Taking prescription medications other than a contraceptive (unless approved by Medical Office and study PI)
• Regular use of over-the-counter medications (including antacids, laxatives, stool softeners, and anti-diarrheals) unless approved by Medical Office and study PI
• Any use of antibiotics, except topical antibiotics, within 3 months of study participation
• Not willing to refrain from using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) or antihistamine during the study
• Not willing to stop consumption of prebiotic- or probiotic-containing supplements (e.g.,VSL#3, PRO-15, etc.), or other dietary supplements at least 2 weeks before and throughout study participation
• Not willing to stop consumption of probiotic-containing foods (e.g., yogurt, etc.) during study participation.
• Not willing to refrain from smoking any nicotine product (includes e-cigarettes), vaping, and chewing tobacco during controlled-diet periods.
• Not willing to abstain from caffeine and alcohol during controlled-diet periods.
• Allergies, intolerances, unwillingness or inability to eat provided foods and beverages
• Following vegetarian/vegan diet
• Unable to regularly sleep for 7-10 hr/night
• Any previous blood donation, within 8 weeks of the first blood draw of the study, of a volume that when combined with the amount of blood to be collected during the study would exceed 550 mL