Suboptimal Omega-3 IndexNCT07276113
Enriched Eggs as a Sustainable Approach to Enhance Omega-3 Status in Elite Athletes
A study testing omega-3 enriched eggs and non-enriched eggs in people with Suboptimal Omega-3 Index, run by Queen's University, Belfast at 2 sites in 2 countries.
Trial summary
The study looked to identify the benefit of omega-3 enriched eggs on circulating omega-3 fatty acid profile of elite level athletes Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Suboptimal Omega-3 Index
- What is being tested?
- omega-3 enriched eggs and non-enriched eggs
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 17 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesin 2 countries
- Study dates
- 25 Sep 2023to 31 Dec 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must be elite level female athletes (tier 4 or 5)
Who cannot join
- Non-smokers
- Must not be taking statins to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
- Must not have high blood pressure (systolic >140/ diastolic >90mmHg)
- Participants must remain injury free (not miss training >1week)
- Baseline omega-3 index of <8%
- Currently include eggs as part of their habitual diet.
- Participants must be willing to consume 14 eggs per week for 8 weeks.
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 2 countries.
2 sites in 2 countries
About this study
The study looked to identify the benefit of omega-3 enriched eggs on circulating omega-3 fatty acid profile of elite level athletes
Read the detailed description
Study hypothesis: Consuming omega-3 enriched eggs (compared to control) will (1) increase omega-3 index whilst also (2) improving subjective markers of recovery and other health parameters.
Aims \& objective:
Overall aim: To investigate the impact of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs blood fatty acid profile among elite level athletes who do not reach omega-3 index targets of 8%, compared to control. Secondary data collected will analyse the impact on health and recovery parameters.
Primary objective: To assess the effect of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs on blood fatty acid response (omega-3 index) in elite level athletes.
Secondary objective: To assess the effect of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs on subjective recovery markers using validated questionnaires (RESTQ-Sport-36, appendix 1; Acute Recovery \& Stress Scale, appendix 2) and other health parameters including resting heart rate and blood pressure.
Recruitment Participants will be recruited from Sport Ireland Institute of Sport (SII). SII are partners for this PhD and will provide access for recruitment to those teams/ athletes based in Dublin. Further recruitment will be open to teams across the island of Ireland where potential participants are competing at the highest level within that sport. All relevant permissions will be obtained before commencing any recruitment strategy. All recruitment will initially require approval from the Head of Performance for that sport, this will allow for the researcher to provide athletes with an information sheet, screening questionnaire and consent form. Secondary recruitment will be via a poster which will be put up around the campus. This recruitment will be provided approval by relevant individuals in SII and QUB. The poster will have a QR code which links the interested party to the participant information sheet and screening questionnaire.
Primary objective data collection:
Participants from both omega-3 enriched group and control group will provide a dried blood spot at week 0 (before starting intervention) and post 8-week intervention. The first step is to increase blood flow to the hands; this is done by asking the participant to wash their hands in warm water. The tip of the index finger is prepared with an antibacterial wipe, and this is allowed to dry unassisted. A lancet is then used to draw blood with the first show of blood being wiped away with gauze. The finger is gently squeezed, allowing a blood drop to form. The blood drop is allowed to drop onto the designated spot of the collection card. The collection cards are pre-treated with a proprietary antioxidant treatment called OxyStop, this prevents oxidative loss of PUFAs. The sample is allowed to dry for a few minutes before being sent the same day to a commercial laboratory for analysis (OmegaQuant, University of Stirling, GB).
Co-investigators are familiar with collecting OmegaQuant blood samples through previous professional experience.
- Conditions
- Suboptimal Omega-3 Index
- Being tested
- omega-3 enriched eggs, non-enriched eggs
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
omega-3 enriched eggsOther
omega-3 enriched eggs
non-enriched eggsOther
non-omega-3 enriched eggs
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | omega-3 enriched egg (14 eggs weekly for 8 weeks, ~250mg DHA daily). Receives: Other: omega-3 enriched eggs |
| Control | Placebo comparator | Non enriched egg group (14 eggs per week for 8 weeks) Receives: Other: non-enriched eggs |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
omega-3 index
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Dec 2025
- Study start25 Sep 2023
- Primary completion9 Dec 2024
- Study completion31 Dec 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Suboptimal Omega-3 IndexStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Queen's University, Belfast
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Matthew Hooks, Queen's University, Belfast
- Investigators
- Anne Nugent, Doctorate, Principal investigator, Queens University Belfast
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07276113
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MHLS 23_68
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 10 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Enriched Eggs as a Sustainable Approach to Enhance Omega-3 Status in Elite Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07276113
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MHLS 23_68
- Conditions
- Suboptimal Omega-3 Index
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Queen's University, BelfastUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 9 Dec 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The study looked to identify the benefit of omega-3 enriched eggs on circulating omega-3 fatty acid profile of elite level athletes
Detailed description
Study hypothesis: Consuming omega-3 enriched eggs (compared to control) will (1) increase omega-3 index whilst also (2) improving subjective markers of recovery and other health parameters.
Aims \& objective:
Overall aim: To investigate the impact of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs blood fatty acid profile among elite level athletes who do not reach omega-3 index targets of 8%, compared to control. Secondary data collected will analyse the impact on health and recovery parameters.
Primary objective: To assess the effect of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs on blood fatty acid response (omega-3 index) in elite level athletes.
Secondary objective: To assess the effect of consuming omega-3 enriched eggs on subjective recovery markers using validated questionnaires (RESTQ-Sport-36, appendix 1; Acute Recovery \& Stress Scale, appendix 2) and other health parameters including resting heart rate and blood pressure.
Recruitment Participants will be recruited from Sport Ireland Institute of Sport (SII). SII are partners for this PhD and will provide access for recruitment to those teams/ athletes based in Dublin. Further recruitment will be open to teams across the island of Ireland where potential participants are competing at the highest level within that sport. All relevant permissions will be obtained before commencing any recruitment strategy. All recruitment will initially require approval from the Head of Performance for that sport, this will allow for the researcher to provide athletes with an information sheet, screening questionnaire and consent form. Secondary recruitment will be via a poster which will be put up around the campus. This recruitment will be provided approval by relevant individuals in SII and QUB. The poster will have a QR code which links the interested party to the participant information sheet and screening questionnaire.
Primary objective data collection:
Participants from both omega-3 enriched group and control group will provide a dried blood spot at week 0 (before starting intervention) and post 8-week intervention. The first step is to increase blood flow to the hands; this is done by asking the participant to wash their hands in warm water. The tip of the index finger is prepared with an antibacterial wipe, and this is allowed to dry unassisted. A lancet is then used to draw blood with the first show of blood being wiped away with gauze. The finger is gently squeezed, allowing a blood drop to form. The blood drop is allowed to drop onto the designated spot of the collection card. The collection cards are pre-treated with a proprietary antioxidant treatment called OxyStop, this prevents oxidative loss of PUFAs. The sample is allowed to dry for a few minutes before being sent the same day to a commercial laboratory for analysis (OmegaQuant, University of Stirling, GB).
Co-investigators are familiar with collecting OmegaQuant blood samples through previous professional experience.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Other: omega-3 enriched eggsomega-3 enriched egg (14 eggs weekly for 8 weeks, ~250mg DHA daily). |
| Control | Placebo comparator | Other: non-enriched eggsNon enriched egg group (14 eggs per week for 8 weeks) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants must be elite level female athletes (tier 4 or 5)
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Non-smokers
- Must not be taking statins to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
- Must not have high blood pressure (systolic >140/ diastolic >90mmHg)
- Participants must remain injury free (not miss training >1week)
- Baseline omega-3 index of <8%
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| omega-3 enriched eggsomega-3 enriched eggs | Other | Intervention |
| non-enriched eggsnon-omega-3 enriched eggs | Other | Control |
Primary outcome
omega-3 index
Time frame: 8 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Anne Nugent, Doctorate principal investigator
Queens University Belfast
2 sites in 2 countries: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing omega-3 enriched eggs and non-enriched eggs in people with Suboptimal Omega-3 Index, run by Queen's University, Belfast at 2 sites in 2 countries.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Ireland, United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
omega-3 index (time frame: 8 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Dec 2025.