Plain-English translation of NCT03418857 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 1/2 — A combined trial that checks safety and dosing while also starting to look at whether the treatment works.
This trial is testing whether a daily containing a specific probiotic called Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 can help reduce inflammation and improve gut health in adults who are overweight. You'll drink one per day for a set period—sometimes with the probiotic and sometimes without—to see if the medication makes a difference in how your body responds. Researchers hope this treatment might help people with metabolic syndrome feel better and reduce health risks.
Many people with excess weight develop metabolic syndrome, a condition involving unhealthy blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Scientists believe that the bacteria in your gut may play a role in these problems, and adding beneficial bacteria through this treatment might help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
You likely qualify if…
You likely don't qualify if…
You'll drink one every day for several weeks, then take a break, and then drink smoothies again for another several weeks—sometimes with the probiotic and sometimes without (you won't know which is which). During the study, you'll need to avoid eating other yogurt or probiotic-containing foods, and you may need to stop taking certain vitamins and supplements. Researchers will likely collect blood samples and ask questions about your health to measure whether the treatment affects inflammation and gut health.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 15, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Phase
Safety & dosing / Early efficacy
Sponsor
Penn State University
Collaborators
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Enrollment target
~40 participants
Started
June 2018
Primary completion
October 2022
This trial's estimated completion date has passed — the record may not be fully up to date.
Age range
55 Years – 75 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in December 2021.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Connie J Rogers, PhD, MPH
Penn State University
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.