Weight, Energy, Lipids, and the Liver (WELL) Study

The research study is a parallel arm, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to assess changes in hepatic lipid accumulation, visceral adipose tissue and postprandial lipid, markers of inflammation and energy metabolism in participants who consume 3 study foods per day for 16 week, while maintaining their body weight.

The study objectives include: 1. To determine the impact of dietary soybean oil on ectopic liver fat and visceral adipose in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or similar diagnosis 2. To evaluate the effect of soybean oil supplementation on postprandial lipids, markers of inflammation and energy metabolism 3. To measure the strength of the association of change in plasma linoleic acid with changes in ectopic liver fat, visceral adipose, and postprandial lipids, markers of inflammation and energy metabolism 4. To explore emerging mechanistic targets of LA-rich soybean oils that are linked with reduced liver fat and better cardiometabolic health