Study Title: Microbiomes of garden-fresh vs store-bought produce and variation in their effects on the human gut microbiome (Garden-Fresh Foods Study)

 

Principal Investigator 

 

This is an initial screening survey that will be used to determine whether you meet the criteria to participate in this study. Contact Dr. Gwynne Mhuireach (gwynhwyf@uoregon.edu) for more information.

 

This survey will close October 1, 2024. Once your eligibility has been confirmed, Dr. Mhuireach will contact you by email or telephone to schedule a discussion about the study and consent process.


Can you read, write, and speak in English?
Are you older than 18 and younger than 45?
Do you live in the Willamette Valley?
Do you currently garden for food?
Would you be willing to consume at least the USDA-recommended amounts of fresh produce (according to BMI-adjusted caloric intake) for two 1-week periods?
Enough fruits and vegetables for one person for one week (based on 2,000-calorie diet):
Veggies oneweek
Does your garden produce enough fruits and vegetables to supply the entire USDA-recommended amounts for one week? Refer to photo above for visual estimate.
Would you be willing to collect stool (fecal) samples every day for 13 days during the study?
How many bowel movements do you typically have each day?
How would you characterize your stool? 
Do you have any health conditions and/or take any medications that would exclude you from participating in the study? Exclusion criteria include:
  • Age under 18 or over 45.
  • Female who is pregnant or lactating.
  • Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35 or less than or equal to 18.
  • Irregular bowel movements and/or stool consistency.
  • Plans to travel or move residences during the study period (August–October 2023).
  • Unable to speak, read, and write English.
  • Use of any of the following drugs within the last 6 months:
    • systemic antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals or antiparasitics (intravenous, intramuscular, or oral);
    • oral, intravenous, intramuscular, nasal or inhaled corticosteroids;
    • cytokines;
    • methotrexate or immunosuppressive cytotoxic agents;
    • large doses of commercial probiotics consumed (greater than or equal to 108 cfu or organisms per day) - includes tablets, capsules, lozenges, chewing gum or powders in which probiotic is a primary component. Ordinary dietary components such as fermented beverages/milks, yogurts, foods do not apply.
  • Acute disease at the time of enrollment (defer sampling until subject recovers). Acute disease is defined as the presence of a moderate or severe illness with or without fever.
  • History of cancer except for squamous or basal cell carcinomas of the skin that have been medically managed by local excision.
  • Unstable dietary history as defined by major changes in diet during the previous month, where the subject has eliminated or significantly increased a major food group in the diet.
  • Recent history of chronic alcohol consumption defined as more than five 1.5-ounce servings of 80 proof distilled spirits, five 12-ounce servings of beer or five 5-ounce servings of wine per day.
  • Any confirmed or suspected condition/state of immunosuppression or immunodeficiency (primary or acquired) including HIV infection.
  • Major surgery of the GI tract, with the exception of cholecystectomy and appendectomy, in the past five years. Any major bowel resection at any time.
  • History of active uncontrolled gastrointestinal disorders or diseases, including:
    • inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including ulcerative colitis (mild-moderate-severe), Crohn's disease (mild-moderate-severe), or indeterminate colitis;
    • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (moderate-severe);
    • persistent, infectious gastroenteritis, colitis or gastritis, persistent or chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology, Clostridium difficile infection (recurrent) or Helicobacter pylori infection (untreated);
    • chronic constipation.
Are you currently pregnant?
Do you have plans to move residences, travel, adopt a new pet, or any other major lifestyle changes during the study period?