Dose-Response Impact of Geranylgeraniol (GG) Supplementation on Muscle Health

NCT07502924 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB-25-35
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate the effects of daily geranylgeraniol (GG) supplementation on muscular strength, body composition, and aerobic capacity in healthy, physically active men and women. Approximately 60 participants aged 30-60 years will be enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial lasting 8 weeks. Participants will be assigned to receive either placebo, 150 mg GG, or 300 mg GG daily. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 and include maximal strength (1RM bench press and leg press), fat-free mass, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity (VO2peak), and circulating biomarkers related to metabolism and health.

Conditions

Muscle Health; Muscle Strength; Body Composition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Leg Press One-Repetition Maximum (1RM)

  Maximal lower-body strength will be assessed as leg press one-repetition maximum (1RM), defined as the greatest load that can be lifted for one complete repetition using proper technique.

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Bench Press One-Repetition Maximum (1RM)

  Maximal upper-body strength will be assessed as bench press one-repetition maximum (1RM), defined as the greatest load that can be lifted for one complete repetition using proper technique.

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Fat-Free Mass

  Fat-free mass will be assessed using a four-compartment body composition model derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS).

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (15)

• Leg Press Muscular Endurance

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Bench Press Muscular Endurance

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Peak Oxygen Consumption (VO2peak)

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Fat Mass

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Percent Body Fat

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

Other Outcomes (2)

• Resting Heart Rate

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

• Resting Blood Pressure

  Change from baseline (Week 0) to Week 8

Study Arms (3)

Placebo Comparator

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will ingest a placebo consisting of olive oil daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

Dietary Supplement: Dietary Supplement - Placebo

150 mg Geranylgeraniol

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will ingest 150 mg of geranylgeraniol (GG) daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

Dietary Supplement: Geranylgeraniol (150 mg)

300 mg Geranylgeraniol

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will ingest 300 mg of geranylgeraniol (GG) daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

Dietary Supplement: Geranylgeraniol (300 mg)

Interventions

Geranylgeraniol (300 mg) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest 300 mg of geranylgeraniol (GG) daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

300 mg Geranylgeraniol

Dietary Supplement - Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest a placebo consisting of olive oil daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

Placebo Comparator

Geranylgeraniol (150 mg) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest 150 mg of geranylgeraniol (GG) daily for 8 weeks. The supplement will be consumed with approximately 8 ounces of water at a consistent time each day.

150 mg Geranylgeraniol

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Between 30 and 60 years old.
• Body mass index values will range from \>18.5 and \<29.9 kg/m2
• Subject agrees to maintain their existing dietary patterns throughout the study period.
• Subject agrees to refrain from alcohol, caffeine, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours prior to each test day.
• Is physically active, defined as at least 30 min of moderate exercise on at least 4 days a week.
• Avoid consumption of pomegranate juice and avoid consumption of CoQ10, vitamin B3 and its precursors, L-carnitine, MK-4
• Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocol.
• Subject has given voluntary, written, informed consent to participate in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• BMI \<18.5 or \> 29.9 kg/m2
• Positive medical history and/or is currently being treated for some form of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, renal failure, or has dialysis performed on regular intervals, Type I or Type II diabetes (determined as fasting blood glucose \> 126 mg/dL), thyroid disease, liver disease or some form of clinically diagnosed hepatic impairment, immune disorder (i.e., HIV/AIDS), or neurological condition or disease.
• Diagnosed with any affective disorder or other psychiatric disorder that required hospitalization in the prior year.
• History of cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer within 5 years prior to screening visit).
• Participant has an abnormality or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract precluding swallowing (e.g., dysphagia) and digestion (e.g., known intestinal malabsorption, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, steatorrhea)
• Genetic musculoskeletal and neurologic disorder known to affect skeletal muscle metabolism
• Has donated blood in past 60 days
• Diagnosed with or being treated for any endocrinological disorder and/or taking hormone boosting supplements (e.g. herbs) or hormone replacement therapy (prescribed/doctor ordered or not)
• Had CoQ10 supplement in past 30 days. Had steroid medication one month before starting the study
• Currently prescribed for the first time a statin drugs (i.e., Lipitor, Livalo, Crestor, Zocor, etc.) and/or a hypertension medication (i.e., Beta-blockers, ACE Inhibitors, Alpha blockers, - Vasodilators, etc.) within the past 6 months or has had their dosage or medication changed within the past 6 months
• Current smoker (average of \> 1 pack per week within the past 3 months) or has quit within the past six months. This includes all forms of nicotine
• Intake of any drugs (prescribed or over the counter) or dietary supplements that are known or are purported to impact energy expenditure or weight loss (caffeine doses \<300 mg/day is permissible)
• Women with a history of hormone-related conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome
• Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or lactating currently or within the past six months
• Have a known sensitivity or allergy to any of the study products

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lindenwood University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Lindenwood University Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory

Saint Charles, Missouri, 63301, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

geranylgeraniol

Study Officials

• Chad M Kerksick, PhD

  Lindenwood University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Anthony M Hagele, MS

CONTACT

6369494785; ahagele@lindenwood.edu

Joesi M Morey, MS

CONTACT

6168266008; jmorey@lindenwood.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This study will employ a double-blind design in which participants, investigators, and study personnel involved in data collection and outcome assessment are blinded to group assignment. Supplements will be prepared in identical form and appearance and coded by an independent party not involved in data collection or analysis. Group assignments will remain concealed until completion of data collection and primary analyses.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants will be randomized to one of three parallel groups to receive either placebo, 150 mg geranylgeraniol (GG), or 300 mg geranylgeraniol (GG) daily for 8 weeks. Randomization will be stratified by sex, age, and baseline fat-free mass. All groups will follow the same testing schedule and procedures throughout the study period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 25, 2026
• First Posted: March 31, 2026
• Study Start: March 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

US (1)