Beef Versus Whey Protein: The Gut Showdown Self-Experiment

NCT07477223 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 47731
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Test whether a doctor-formulated protein made from real beef is more digestible than standard whey protein powder. For the first 30 days, participants receive either standard whey protein powder or Equip Protein and track how the gut responds weekly. At the 30 day mark, all participants receive the standard Equip protein to track differences in digestability.

Conditions

Digestion

Keywords

digestion; gut; bloating

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 - Gastrointestinal Constipation 9a

  Outcome Measure Description: Change from baseline in gastrointestinal constipation as assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS®) Gastrointestinal Constipation 9a Scale, Version 1.0, which evaluates constipation frequency, severity, and impact over the past 7 days. Scoring: Each item is scored 1-5; total raw scores are converted to a T-score metric (range \~25-85). Higher scores indicate more severe constipation (worse outcome).

  Change from baseline (Day 1-5) in gastrointestinal constipation at 4 weeks after the start of the intervention (Day 25-35)

• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 - Gastrointestinal Belly Pain 5a Survey

  Outcome Measure Description: Change from baseline in gastrointestinal belly pain as assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS® Gastrointestinal Belly Pain 5a Scale, Version 1.0), measuring frequency and intensity of abdominal pain over the past 7 days. Scoring: Each item scored 1-5; T-score conversion range \~25-80. Higher scores indicate more severe belly pain (worse outcome).

  Change from baseline (Day 1-5) in gastrointestinal belly pain at 4 weeks after the start of the intervention (Day 25-35)

• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 - Gastrointestinal Bowel Incontinence 4a Survey

  Outcome Measure Description: Change from baseline in gastrointestinal bowel incontinence as assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS® Gastrointestinal Bowel Incontinence 4a Scale, Version 1.0), evaluating frequency and impact of bowel incontinence over the past 7 days. Scoring: Each item scored 1-5; T-score conversion range \~25-80. Higher scores indicate more severe bowel incontinence (worse outcome).

  Change from baseline (Day 1-5) in gastrointestinal bowel incontinence at 8 weeks after the start of the intervention (Day 55-65)

• PROMIS Scale v1.1 - Gastrointestinal Gas and Bloating 13a

  Outcome Measure Description: Change from baseline in gastrointestinal gas and bloating as assessed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System® (PROMIS® Gastrointestinal Gas and Bloating 13a Scale, Version 1.1), which evaluates frequency and intensity over the past 7 days. Scoring: Each item scored 1-5; T-score conversion range \~25-85. Higher scores indicate more severe gas and bloating (worse outcome).

  Change from baseline (Day 1-5) in gastrointestinal gas and bloating at 4 weeks after the start of the intervention (Day 25-35)

Study Arms (2)

Crossover longitudinal where participants act as their own control - whey arm

SHAM COMPARATOR

30 % of participants receive a standard chocolate whey protein, followed by the Equip chocolate beef protein.

Dietary Supplement: Beef protein; Dietary Supplement: Chocolate whey protein

Crossover longitudinal where participants act as their own control - beef arm

EXPERIMENTAL

70 % of participants receive Equip chocolate protein followed by another Equip chocolate protein.

Dietary Supplement: Beef protein

Interventions

Beef protein DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Original beef protein powder chocolate flavor, manufactured by Equip, packed with 21g of complete protein, plus naturally occurring collagen and gelatin

Crossover longitudinal where participants act as their own control - beef arm; Crossover longitudinal where participants act as their own control - whey arm

Chocolate whey protein DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Whey protein isolate is a dairy-derived protein powder containing ≥90% protein by weight, with minimal lactose and fat. The product is provided as a flavored powder and administered orally when mixed with water. The product does not contain added bioactive ingredients beyond standard whey protein isolate.

Crossover longitudinal where participants act as their own control - whey arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Can read and understand English.
• US resident.
• Willing and able to follow the requirements of the protocol.
• Willing to purchase study materials.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with Beef Allergy
• Individuals with Whey Allergy
• Individuals with Dairy Allergy
• Individuals with Serious Digestive Disorders
• Individuals on a Vegan Diet
• Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease
• Pregnant or Nursing Individuals
• Individuals with Gout

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Efforia, Inc: lead

Study Sites (1)

Efforia

New York, New York, 10003, United States

Location

Related Links

• Additional information and join instructions on Efforia

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Protein powders have individually been packaged into indeterminate packages so that participants are unaware of which product they are testing. They are informed prior to study start that they may be given whey or beef protein.
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: INDUSTRY
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Crossover observational where participants act as their own control

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 17, 2026
• Study Start: February 6, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 6, 2026
• Study Completion: June 6, 2026
• Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

US (1)