Can a dash of spice and protein shield muscle during Weight-Loss shots?
NCT ID NCT07806838
First seen Sep 08, 2026 · Last updated Sep 09, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study asks whether adding daily protein shakes, with or without a blend of culinary spices, can help adults on GLP-1 medications keep their muscle mass and strength while losing weight. Researchers will enroll 75 adults who recently started a GLP-1 drug and are losing weight. Participants will be split into three groups: standard care, protein plus placebo capsules, or protein plus mixed spice capsules. Over six months, the team will measure changes in muscle mass using DEXA scans and a D3-creatine test, and track muscle function through walking, stair-climbing, and grip-strength tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Whey protein supplementation with or without mixed spice capsules
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point to a simple dietary strategy to help people on GLP-1 medications preserve muscle while losing weight, improving long-term health and function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study, so results may not apply broadly. The spice and protein supplements might not prevent muscle loss, and some people may have digestive discomfort or allergies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 75 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female ≥18 years of age at screening visit. 2. BMI \>27 kg/m² with weight-related conditions OR BMI \>30 kg/m². 3. Taking any FDA-approved GLP-1 medication, daily oral or weekly injectable, started up to three months ago, and experiencing at least 1 lb of weight loss per week. 4. Screening laboratory tests without significant abnormalities that might interfere with the study. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Consume spices regularly \>5 g/day. 2. Allergy or sensitivity to spices, or history of allergy or anaphylaxis of any kind. 3. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. 4. Vegans/vegetarians. 5. Consuming protein, amino acid, or creatine supplements; occasional or infrequent use (1 serving per week or less) is allowed. 6. Milk protein allergy. 7. Severe lactose intolerance. 8. Current diagnosis of alcoholism or substance addiction. 9. Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic BP \>170 or diastolic BP \>100). 10. Eating a high-fiber/polyphenol diet or taking medication or dietary supplements that interfere with the absorption of polyphenols. 11. Frequently using prebiotics, probiotics, yogurt, and/or fiber supplements. 12. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to practice birth control during study participation. 13. Presence of a condition or abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise participant safety or data quality. 14. Renal impairment measured as eGFR \<45 mL/min/1.73 m² (\<60 mL/min/1.73 m² in subjects treated with SGLT2i), according to the CKD-EPI creatinine equation as defined by KDIGO 2012. 15. Any unstable medical conditions or terminal diagnosis. 16. Unstable thyroid disease-not taking medication or medication dosage changed one or more times over the last 6 months. Stable thyroid disease on an unchanged prescription medication dose for ≥6 months is acceptable. 17. Current use of insulin or oral medication of metformin, SU, SGLT2i, glitazone, or DPP4 as single-agent therapy or combination oral agents. 18. Taking GLP-1 medications for more than 3 months. 19. Have a medical implant or other metal implant, including a pacemaker. 20. Unwilling to stay on a GLP-1 medication for 6 months or for the duration of study participation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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UCLA Center for Human Nutrition
RECRUITINGLos Angeles, California, 90024, United States
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