Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Metabolic Availability of Lysine From Barley in Young Adult Men

This study aims to understand how much of a key nutrient called lysine, found in barley, our bodies can actually use. Protein is vital for growth and body functions, and its quality depends on its building blocks, known as amino acids. Barley has protein, but it can be low in a specific amino acid called lysine, which is important for making new proteins in the body. Cooking can change how much lysine our body can get from barley. Researchers will test different cooking methods for barley to see which ones make the lysine more available to young adult men. This research helps us understand how to get the most nutrition from common foods.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

The Hospital for Sick Children

Enrolment target

Start

30 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

30 May 2027

Healthy

What is this study about?

This research is all about understanding how our bodies use an important part of food called protein. Think of protein as tiny building blocks that our body uses for almost everything – growing, repairing itself, and generally keeping us healthy. Grains like barley are a major source of protein for many people around the world.

However, not all proteins are equal. Barley, for example, is a great source of many nutrients, but its protein is a bit short on one specific building block called lysine. Lysine is really important for our bodies to make new proteins effectively. The way we cook our food can also change how much of these vital building blocks our bodies can actually absorb and use.

So, this study wants to find out just how much lysine our bodies can get from barley when it's prepared in different ways. By understanding this, we can give better advice on how to cook barley to make it as nutritious as possible, especially for people who rely on grains for a big part of their diet.

Key takeaways

The study investigates how much lysine from barley our bodies can use.
It tests different cooking methods for barley.
Lysine is a vital protein building block.
Participation involves special diets and hospital visits over several weeks.
It's for healthy men aged 18-40.
Results could help improve nutritional advice for grain-based diets.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a man aged between 18 and 40 years old. You should be generally healthy and not have any medical conditions that might affect how your body uses protein or other nutrients, like diabetes.

It's also important that your body weight has been stable recently, meaning you haven't gained or lost a lot of weight in the last three months. You shouldn't be taking any regular medications that could affect how your body handles proteins or amino acids, such as certain steroids.

You won't be able to join if you've recently lost a lot of weight, are on a weight-loss diet, or if you know you have allergies to any foods or ingredients that will be used in the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you a man aged between 18 and 40?
Do you consider yourself generally healthy with no major medical conditions?
Has your weight been stable in the last 3 months (no big gains or losses)?
Are you not currently taking any regular medications (especially steroids)?
Do you not have allergies to common food ingredients?
Are you able to follow a specific diet plan?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll try up to 10 different diet plans, one at a time. Each diet plan lasts for 3 days and is separated by at least one week. On the first two days of each diet plan, you'll eat special meals containing the study food at home, spread out into four equal portions throughout the day.

On the third day of each diet plan, you'll come to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, for about 5 and a half hours after an overnight fast. During this time, you'll eat nine smaller, hourly meals, and researchers will collect samples to see how your body is using the nutrients. You'll be able to relax, watch TV, or use a computer between meals. Throughout the entire study period, you'll also take a daily multivitamin and a choline supplement, which will be provided to you.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study won't directly benefit your health, but it will help us understand more about nutrition and how to make food healthier for everyone. There are no significant risks expected beyond having to follow special diets and provide samples during the hospital visits. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

The Hospital For Sick Children
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada

Common questions

What is lysine and why is it important?

Lysine is a crucial building block of protein, which your body needs for growth, repair, and many other functions. It's an 'essential' amino acid, meaning your body can't make it, so you have to get it from food.

Will I have to eat only barley during the study?

No, you will eat specially prepared meals that include barley as part of a balanced diet, along with reference protein diets.

How long will each part of the study last?

Each diet plan within the study will last for 3 days. There will be at least a week between each plan.

Will I have to stay in the hospital?

No, you will only spend about 5.5 hours at the hospital on one day for each diet plan. The other two days are spent at home.

Can I eat my usual foods during the study?

On the study days, you will follow the special meal plan provided. You will also take a daily multivitamin and choline supplement.

How to find out more

Mahroukh Rafii, BSc.

mahroukh.rafii@sickkids.ca 416-813-7454 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.