Peanut Immune Study

Investigators are looking for adults aged 18-70 years 2. Being able to commute to Loma Linda University 3. Not taking medication or supplements that affect immunity. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Intolerance or allergy to Peanuts 2. Regular intake of peanuts and/or other nuts (>3 ounces/week) 3. Immune system insufficiency or disease 4. Using immune boosting supplements 5. Exposure to antibiotics and corticoids immediately prior to study 6. Uncontrolled chronic diseases, morbid obesity and relevant psychiatric illness, including major depression will not be included in the study 7. Flu vaccination or covid booster within past 3 months

Participants must be willing to commit for a total duration of 12 weeks and to attend four office visits. During this time, participants are expected to attend all scheduled meetings and visits. Participants must be equally willing to consume peanuts or abstain from peanuts and other nuts, while continuing their usual diet and other routines or lifestyle habits. Participants are expected to visit the clinic 4 times during the study (about once a month). At these visits, peanuts will be provided based on the group you are randomized to (You will be randomly assigned to either group 1: Peanuts including peanut butter ( 2 ounces) or group 2: continue with your habitual diet and abstain from peanuts and other nuts), based using a random number table). Blood pressure and body composition measurements which means measuring your weight, body fat mass and muscle mass using an InBody machine will be done, once at the baseline clinic visit, and week 12 visit by a trained clinician. During two of these visits participants will be fasting (this means that you must have nothing to eat and drink except water after 8 p.m. the evening before) to provide blood samples. About 3 tablespoons of blood will be collected during the blood draw visits. The purpose of the blood test is to measure the number of different type of white blood cells as well as the level of antibodies present in your blood. In case the laboratory finds any abnormalities in your blood cell numbers, we will provide you with the results that you can share with your primary care provider. You will be provided a diary to track any changes in your medication, food, exercise, supplements and a upper respiratory tract symptom tracking booklet if you experience any flu like symptoms, you will fill it out every two weeks to note any upper respiratory tract infection, if you don’t have any symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections then you will mark a no, if you do experience any symptoms then you will mark yes and fill out the questionnaire.

You can let us know if you are interested in the study by any of the following 2 ways:

1. Send us an email to peanutstudy@llu.edu
2. Call us at 909-558-8382 from 9am to 3pm

Please let us know the days and the time you will be available to take calls.

The study will last for 12 weeks (3 months) from start to finish.

There is NO cost to the participants for any of the study-associated intervention or tests.

The committee at Loma Linda University that reviews human studies (Institutional Review Board) has determined that participating in this study could expose you to minimal risk. Possible discomfort may result from the blood drawings. This includes slight pain and minor bleeding or bruising at the point of needle insertion. Breach of confidentiality is also a potential risk during the study, which will be minimized by coding the research records, keep research records secure in a locked office or on a password protected computer. Only authorized personnel will be allowed to access the study data. Risks also include allergic reactions to Peanuts. Signs and symptoms of the allergic reaction are hives, redness or swelling, iching or tingling around mouth and throat, digestive problems, tightening of throat and shortness of breath.

You may or may not benefit personally from the intervention. However, it is expected that this study will increase knowledge about the effect of peanuts on immunity and reduce cardio-metabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure and body weight . Therefore, by participating you will be helping us gain a deeper understanding of the biological functions of peanuts and contributing towards a lasting benefit for humanity.

Your results from a variety of tests will be provided to you at the completion of the study. These test results will give you valuable information about different aspects of your health and will be worthwhile to you. Test results of the blood work related to immune cells will be shared with you if there are abnormalities detected so you can follow it up with your primary care provider.

Participants will receive $200 as compensation at the end of the study, upon successful completion of all study procedures.

Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision on whether to participate in or withdraw at any time from the study will not affect your ongoing medical care or relationship to your doctors and will not involve any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

Dates will be provided soon.