Can Gut Bacteria Predict Who Benefits Most From Exercise? A Gut Supplement to Help Exercise Non-Responders

Study Summary

Overview: You are invited to participate in a research study. You can join if you are a woman, 18-40 years old, have a BMI \>25, and a regular menstrual cycle (every 24 to 38 days, per the Cleveland Clinic). This study is open to the TCU and non-TCU communities. You cannot join if you: * Have diagnosis of diabetes or take insulin or metformin. * Have either diagnosis of high blood pressure, is currently taking high blood pressure medications, or shows high blood pressure readings during visit 1 ≥130/80 mmHg. * For the past month, have engaged in \>150 min/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (brisk walking), \>75 min/week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity (running, fast cycling), and ≥1 session/week of strength exercising using weights for the past month. * Have lost or gained 10% or more of your body weight in the past 3 months. * Have used antibiotics or probiotics in the past 3 months. * Follow a restrictive diet like vegetarian, vegan, keto, or carnivore. * Take weight loss medications or supplements. * Smoke (including vaping) or drink heavily (more than 8 drinks per week for women, per CDC guidelines). Study Details: This study is being conducted at Texas Christian University, Richel building 256 and 259. The project is sponsored by a Texas Christian University Invests in Scholarship grant. The purpose of this study is to looks at how gut bacteria affect exercise benefits. We want to see if a supplement called butyrate can help people who don't get better insulin response from exercise. Butyrate is a natural substance made by gut bacteria when they break down fiber in your diet. The study lasts 12 weeks, including a 12-week supervised exercise program (30-60 min per day/5 days per week), 4 weeks of taking a butyrate supplement daily (weeks 8 to 12), 3 material pick up visits (10 min each) and 3 lab visits (60 min each). All participants will follow the 12-week exercise intervention and all participants will follow the 4-week supplementation. Par

Primary Outcome

Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels will be used to calculate the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). This outcome will assess the impact of exercise and sodium butyrate supplementation on insulin sensitivity.

Interventions

• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT Butyrate
• BEHAVIORAL Cardiovascular Exercise