Overweight (BMI > 25)

The goal of this 16-week randomised, placebo-controlled parallel study is to investigate the effect of a newly formed probiotic supplement on satiety and gut microbiota composition in healthy men and women with overweight or obesity form 20-70 years old. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the probiotic supplement increase feelings of satiety and alter gut microbiota composition? Participants will: * Receive a daily dose of 6 g probiotic supplement (packed in sachets of 3 g) or placebo for 16 weeks. * Visit the research unit 3 times at baseline, week 8 and week 16 of the intervention for blood draws and delivering fecal samples. * Keep a study diary to report deviations from their daily habits and fill in food questionnaires.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether ingestion of a ketone ester drink helps improve liver health and blood glucose control. Ketones are a type of energy source made by the body during times of weight loss, low carbohydrate intake and starvation. People enrolled in this study will be randomly assigned (by chance, like the flip of a coin) to one of two groups: Group 1: Ketone ester drink consumed daily for 6 weeks. Group 2: Placebo drink consumed daily for 6 weeks.

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a common endocrine and metabolic condition affecting women of reproductive age. It is associated with hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, and metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance. These metabolic changes can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance means that the body's cells respond less effectively to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose. This leads to compensatory increases in insulin levels, which can further disrupt hormonal balance and contribute to the clinical features of PMOS. This study aims to investigate how the bodies of women with PMOS respond dynamically to glucose intake compared with women without PMOS. A standard clinical test, the oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT), will be used. Participants consume a glucose solution, and blood samples are collected before and two hours afterward. This procedure is routinely used in clinical practice. Women with PMOS will be compared with age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control participants without PMOS. Blood and urine samples will be analyzed using advanced multi-omics technologies to measure proteins, metabolites, extracellular vesicles, and immune-related signals. The main objective is to understand how metabolic, hormonal, and immune pathways respond over time to a glucose challenge and whether these responses differ in PMOS. Special attention is given to inter-organ communication and systemic metabolic regulation. The study includes two visits. The first visit involves health assessments, questionnaires, and body composition measurements. The second visit includes the glucose tolerance test and blood sampling. In total, approximately 100 mL of blood will be collected across both visits. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without affecting their medical care. The procedures involve minimal risk and consist of standard clinical methods. The results of this study may improve understanding of PMOS and contribute to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the future.

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Although current treatments can be effective, many patients do not fully recover or experience long-term improvement. This study aims to better understand how lifestyle factors such as physical activity and diet-related processes may influence biological mechanisms that could be linked to depression. The study focuses on a natural cellular process called autophagy, which helps cells remove damaged components and maintain healthy function. Autophagy is influenced by energy availability in the body and may be affected by behaviors such as physical exercise and caloric restriction. Early evidence suggests that changes in autophagy may also be linked to mood regulation and depression, but this relationship is not yet well understood in humans. In this exploratory study, we will investigate how physical activity influences autophagy and related metabolic and molecular processes in healthy adults. We will also examine whether these effects differ between individuals with different body weight and fitness levels, and between women and men. A total of approximately 120 healthy adults aged 18 to 40 years will participate. Participants will be divided into four groups based on sex and body weight (normal weight or overweight). Each participant will attend study visits at the University Hospital Zurich and perform a standardized cycling exercise test under medical supervision. During the exercise test, participants will perform a graded cycling protocol that gradually increases in intensity until exhaustion. We will collect small blood samples from a vein and from a fingertip at several time points before, during, and after exercise. Saliva samples will also be collected to measure stress-related hormones. Additional measurements include heart rate, breathing parameters, oxygen consumption, and physical performance. Blood and saliva samples will be analyzed using advanced laboratory techniques to study changes in metabolism, immune signaling, hormones, gene activity, and markers related to autophagy. These analyses will help identify biological pathways that are activated by exercise and may be relevant to brain health and depression. Participants will undergo medical screening before inclusion to ensure safety. Individuals with certain medical conditions or factors that could interfere with the study results will not be included. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw at any time without consequences. The study involves minimal risks associated with blood sampling and intense physical exercise, which will be performed under close medical supervision. The expected benefit is improved scientific understanding of how lifestyle-related biological processes may be linked to mental health, which could support the development of new preventive or therapeutic strategies for depression in the future.

The objective of this trial is to assess the effects of replacing foods high in refined carbohydrates, particularly added sugars, with avocado (isocaloric substitution) on biomarkers of inflammation and insulin sensitivity in adults with elevated hs-CRP and central adiposity. Eligible participants will complete two 4-week interventions (1 avocado/d and control) separated by a 2-week washout phase. Participants will complete a total of 7 clinic visits including one screening visit (visit 1, -7 days), one baseline visit (visit 2, day 0), two visits during each 4-week diet condition (visit 3 \& 6 on day 21 and visits 4 \& 7 on day 28), and one visit at the conclusion of the washout phase/start of the second condition (visit 5, day 0).

This study investigates the effects of foods enriched with alternative protein sources, including edible insects, microalgae, hemp, and legumes, on appetite regulation, satiety, food preferences, and metabolic health in healthy adults and individuals with overweight. The study is part of the CIPROMED project, which aims to support sustainable and circular food systems in the Mediterranean area. The study consists of two phases. In the acute phase, participants will consume different protein-enriched bread products in a controlled setting following a randomized crossover design. Each participant will be exposed to multiple test conditions, allowing within-subject comparisons of postprandial responses. Outcomes assessed during this phase include satiety, hunger, food preference, craving, and short-term energy intake, measured using validated scales and dietary assessment tools. In the chronic phase, participants will follow structured dietary interventions over a longer period within a Mediterranean dietary framework. Participants will be assigned to different dietary patterns including alternative protein-based foods and control products. This phase aims to evaluate the effects of repeated consumption of alternative protein sources on metabolic parameters, gastrointestinal tolerance, nutritional status, and behavioral responses. The study aims to assess the acceptability and physiological effects of alternative protein sources and to compare their impact with that of traditional protein sources commonly used in Mediterranean diets.

The investigators have previously found that a starch- and sucrosereduced diet (SSRD) has led decreased gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritabel bowel syndrome (IBS). At the same time, investigators found that the weight was reduced and the nutrient intake was improved with a more favorable metabolic profile. However, it is a challenge to change lifestyle, and most persons fail to keep on with an improved diet for a long time. Investigators therefore now want to conduct a clinical trial with SSRD in overweight/obesity for 3 months. Persons with a BMI \>25 kg/m2 will be included. To examine whether a feedback about improved metabolic profile enhances the compliance, participants will be randomized to be informed or not about the metabolic profile after the 6-week visit. Investigator´s hypothesis is that information about the improvement in the metabolic profile should increase the motivation and compliance in the patients, and thereby render better effects.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether 12 weeks of exercise training combined with dairy consumption influences inflammation and immune responses in adults with overweight, compared to exercise training alone.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether daily supplementation with cold-pressed pecan nut oil can reduce inflammation in adults with overweight. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does pecan nut oil supplementation reduce inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)? Does pecan nut oil supplementation improve biochemical parameters such as fasting blood glucose and lipid profile? Researchers will compare an experimental group receiving pecan nut oil to a control group with no intervention to determine its effect on inflammation and metabolic parameters. Participants will: Consume 30 g/day of cold-pressed pecan nut oil under fasting conditions for 8 weeks (experimental group) Maintain their usual diet and physical activity throughout the study Attend two evaluation visits (baseline and Day 60) for blood sample collection and anthropometric measurements Provide dietary information using a 24-hour dietary recall

Time-restricted eating - where no food is consumed over a period of time - has been shown to promote weight loss and improve cardio-metabolic function. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, it is also been shown to improve glucose control. The investigators propose a randomized controlled trial to determine whether time-restricted eating is an effective therapeutic strategy that can preserve pancreatic beta-cell function and improve glycemic control early in participants with type 2 diabetes.

We are conducting this study to develop a disease-specific instrument, a quality of life instrument and a comprehensive list of costs associated with overweight and obesity.