This study is a multicenter randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of administering a dietary supplement containing resistant starch to non-hospitalized COVID-19 positive subjects, The intervention will begin as soon as possible after subjects test positive for COVID-19 and continue for 14 days. Investigators hypothesize that short-term administration of a dietary supplement containing resistant starch has the potential to reduce rates of hospitalization and improve time to clinical recovery and symptoms in non-hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a substantial strain on the healthcare system, with at least
14% of infected patients requiring hospitalization. Identifying ways to ameliorate the
progression and severity of the COVID-19 infection and preventing hospitalization is
critical. Patients suffering from COVID-19 have been shown to have a significant inflammatory
response resembling that of cytokine release syndrome, and it is this inflammatory phase that
is thought to drive fatality.
To this end, a multi-center randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of resistant
starch in reducing the need for hospitalization for COVID-19 positive patients will be
studied. This study will enroll 1500 non-hospitalized COVID-19 positive individuals who are
being monitored in the outpatient setting. Patients will be randomized to either a dietary
supplement containing resistant starch or a placebo for 14 days. Our primary outcome is the
rate of hospitalization for COVID-19 related complications. Secondary outcomes will look at
time to recovery and symptom severity scores.
Drug: Dietary Supplement containing resistant starch
Two tablespoons (~ 20 grams) to be taken twice daily for 14 days (start with 2 tablespoons once daily for three days, followed by twice daily on days 4 through 14)
Other Name: Resistant Starch
Dietary Supplement: Placebo Starch
Two tablespoons (~ 20 grams) to be taken twice daily for 14 days (start with 2 tablespoons once daily for three days, followed by twice daily on days 4 through 14)
Other Name: Non Resistant Starch
Inclusion Criteria:
- greater than 18 years of age
- COVID-positive status
- Being monitored in an outpatient setting at one of our study sites:
- Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH)
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
Exclusion Criteria:
- inflammatory bowel disease
- history of gastric bypass surgery
- active Clostridium difficile infection
- active participation in another COVID-19 interventional trial
- any physical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the investigator,
would pose unacceptable risk to the patient or raise concern that the patient would
not comply with the protocol procedures.
- Reported allergy to starch
- Difficulty swallowing in order to prevent any aspiration risk
- Currently taking any IL-6 inhibitors such as Tocilizumab for any disease condition
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Sherry Mansour, MD, MS, Principal Investigator
Yale University