Important Information

This 60-day crossover study compares a doctor-formulated beef protein powder (Prime Protein by Equip Foods) with a standard generic whey protein powder to explore differences in digestibility and gut comfort. Participants will begin with either whey or beef protein and switch halfway through the study.

At the start of the study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One-third will begin with a whey protein powder that is formulated to taste identical to Equip’s Prime Protein, while the remaining two-thirds will start with Equip’s Prime Protein in chocolate flavor. After 30 days, those who began with the whey protein will switch to Equip’s Prime Protein for the remainder of the 60-day study.

Matthew Amsden serves as the Principal Investigator, and Dr. Viral Patel acts as the Sub-Investigator overseeing safety and adverse events.

Efforia collaborates with the providers of the products and services included in this study. When you purchase the required items, Efforia takes a transaction fee, making this study possible.

While you could buy these products separately for a similar cost, Efforia bundles everything into one convenient purchase and adjusts your costs based on the products you’ve already purchased. We organize and provide instructions to create a seamless, data-driven research experience.

If you are randomized into the whey protein arm, your participation will be subsidized to be the same price as the Equip Prime Protein powder. You are not receiving anything of less value.

This setup helps you track your progress and understand how the products and services in this study impact your life through detailed outcome reports. It empowers you to make informed decisions about future purchases and the use of your time.

Your participation also contributes to valuable generalizable research findings, benefiting others who might not be able to afford such opportunities without guaranteed results.

Equitable inclusion: If the cost is a concern, click the Efforia logo at the top of the page to explore other protocols. We offer a range of studies at different price points, including free options.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a protein made from real beef is more digestible and better tolerated than a standard whey protein powder. Many people experience bloating, discomfort, or other digestive issues when using protein supplements. Scientific comparisons between beef and whey proteins are limited, and this study aims to address that evidence gap.

Products and Measures:

• Prime Protein – Chocolate (Equip Foods): A doctor-formulated whole-food protein providing 21g of complete protein from grass-fed beef per scoop, flavored with cocoa and stevia extract.
• Chocolate Flavor Generic Whey Protein (control): A commonly used milk-derived protein supplement. This control is specifically formulated to be similar in every way to Prime Protein, except it uses whey instead of grass-fed beef protein.

Outcome Measures: Participants will complete validated surveys:

• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 – Gastrointestinal Constipation 9a
• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 – Gastrointestinal Belly Pain 5a
• PROMIS® Scale v1.0 – Gastrointestinal Bowel Incontinence 4a
• PROMIS® Scale v1.1 – Gastrointestinal Gas and Bloating 13a

The goal is to gather structured, participant-reported data that may help consumers and clinicians better understand how different protein sources affect digestion.

While participating in this research study, you will need to:

• Be willing and able to follow the study directions and procedures
• Tell Efforia about any side effects or problems by communicating with help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Ask questions as you think of them, via help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Inform Efforia if you change your mind about staying in the study. You may leave the study at any time by communicating with help@efforia.com or chat.

After completing enrollment, payment of $126, and entering your personal and shipping details, you will receive the study product and instructions. You will use either whey or beef protein for the first 30 days. If you started with whey protein, you will switch to the other product for the remaining 30 days. You will not know which version you had until the end of your participation in the study.

You will complete the four PROMIS® gastrointestinal symptom surveys at baseline, day 30, and day 60. These assessments help measure changes in constipation, bloating, belly pain, and bowel control. Daily protein use and brief symptom reporting are encouraged to ensure accurate results.

To be eligible to receive the gift card, you must complete all required weekly study measures during the full 60-day study period. This means submitting each weekly set of questions or assessments by the deadlines provided. If any weekly measure is missed or not completed, you will not qualify for the gift card.

There are some unique risks, discomforts, and potential benefits you should understand before deciding to join this study.

Possible Serious Adverse Events & Side Effects

Risk Name	Risk Likelihood	Summary
Gastrointestinal discomfort	Low	Temporary bloating, gas, or mild nausea during adjustment to new protein source.
Allergic reaction to beef or dairy	Low	Rash, itching, or digestive upset; rare in beef protein but possible.
Taste intolerance	Low	Some participants may find the flavor or texture unpleasant.
Nutrient sensitivity	Low	Mild stomach discomfort or fullness may occur, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Interaction with medications	Very low	Unlikely, but high-protein foods can affect absorption of certain medications.

Some People May be at Increased Risk

Some people may be at increased risk from this study and should not join without speaking with a healthcare professional familiar with their specific circumstances. Without such approval, Efforia strongly encourages you not to join the study or use the associated products and services outside the study.

Population	Why They Should Not Join
Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding	Dietary changes may impact maternal or fetal health.
Individuals with beef allergy	Risk of allergic reaction to beef-derived protein.
Individuals with dairy allergy	Risk of allergic reaction to whey protein.
Individuals with chronic kidney disease	High protein intake may strain kidney function.
Individuals with digestive disorders	Protein powder use may aggravate symptoms.
Individuals on a vegan diet	Study involves animal-based proteins, inconsistent with vegan diets.

Consider Your Own Risk-Benefit Comfort Level

Participation in this study requires you to make a personal judgment about the balance between risks and benefits. Because this is a participant-funded, minimal-risk study, you have greater responsibility to ensure it is appropriate for you.

It is possible that not all risks and benefits are currently known. Participants have the responsibility to consult with their healthcare providers and conduct further research before enrolling in the study.

Privacy & Security Risks

Efforia takes extensive measures to protect your data and maintain confidentiality. However, no system is completely without risk. Potential participants should review the Efforia Privacy Policy available at: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy.

Certain limits to privacy may apply:

• Efforia may contact local authorities if there is reason to believe you may be a danger to yourself or others.
• Regulators or Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) may review records containing your identifying information for compliance or safety review.

The Possible Benefits of Participating

You will receive both personal outcome reports and overall study findings at various points during participation. These results may help you understand how different protein sources affect your digestion and inform your future dietary decisions.

Participation may also contribute to broader public knowledge about the digestibility and safety of whole-food protein products. However, there is a possibility that you will experience no measurable personal benefit, other than seeing reports that show no change.

Participation is voluntary, and you may exit the study at any time by emailing help@efforia.com.

What to Do if You Have a Study-Related Injury

If you experience a study-related injury, seek local medical care immediately. Efforia cannot provide emergency medical care or diagnosis. Once you have received appropriate medical attention, please contact Efforia at help@efforia.com to report the incident so we can track potential risks and protect future participants.

Study-Related Injury Care and Compensation

(Important Notice – display in red in final version)
Efforia is not able to offer financial compensation nor to absorb the costs of medical treatment should you be injured as a result of participating in this research. Efforia makes no commitment to provide free medical care or payment for any unfavorable outcomes resulting from participation in this research.

In the Case of Medical Emergency

In the event of a medical emergency, dial 911 immediately. Do not attempt to contact Efforia until the emergency has passed.

If you ever feel that you may be a danger to yourself or others, dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. Help is available.

Alternatives to Participating in the Study

Because this study is for research only, the main alternative is simply not to participate. If this study does not seem right for you, or is too expensive for your current situation, click the Efforia logo at the top of the page to explore other ongoing studies, including free or lower-cost options.

Efforia upholds the same ethical standards used in academic and pharmaceutical research. Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. You are not waiving any legal rights by agreeing to participate.

Privacy and Confidentiality

You have the right to privacy and confidentiality. Your personal information will be stored securely and used only for research purposes. Data are processed to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.

Right to Your Own Results

You have the right to a full explanation of the study and your results once participation concludes. If deception or blinding was used (such as placebo or control conditions), this will be disclosed at the end of the study.

The Right to Leave the Study Without Penalty

You may withdraw from the study at any time by visiting your Profile page, selecting “Your Protocols,” and clicking “Leave.”
You will be refunded for any unshipped consumable products. For non-consumable products, refunds will be issued upon return, consistent with Efforia’s return policy.

Participant Rights

Your participation in this research study is voluntary. Refusing to participate will not alter your usual health care or involve any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled. If you decide to join the study, you may withdraw at any time and for any reason without penalty or loss of benefits.

New Information and Study Results

If new information becomes available that could affect your willingness to participate, you will be notified so you can decide whether to continue. Your identity will not be revealed in any publication or presentation.

Confidentiality & Privacy

Researchers will only use and share the information needed for this study. Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed because oversight committees may need to review records to ensure compliance. By signing the consent form, you permit Efforia to use and share your health information. If you do not sign, you cannot join the study.

As part of our commitment to transparency, Efforia discloses that this study is participant-funded. Efforia serves solely as the platform provider and does not sponsor or influence the study outcomes.

How Efforia Makes Money on this Protocol:
Efforia takes a small transaction fee on all included products and services. We do not have any other financial interests or relationships with the product providers. If you do not complete enrollment, we will send a single reminder but will not remarket or pressure you to join.

How We Reduce Conflicts of Interest

Participants must not have any financial relationship with the intervention manufacturer or measurement provider. This includes being an employee, investor, or stakeholder. Such conflicts could compromise the study’s integrity.

Consequences of Conflict of Interest Non-Compliance

If a participant fails to disclose a conflict of interest or violates this policy, they may be immediately suspended from the platform, and payments may not be refunded.

By joining this trial, you affirm that you understand the above conflict of interest restrictions and agree to comply fully with them. Your participation is valued, and your adherence to these guidelines ensures the validity and reliability of our collective scientific efforts.

Efforia complies with all applicable data protection and privacy laws. Your data will be collected, used, and stored securely.

What You Can Do to Improve Your Privacy and Security

As part of the study, you may receive email, SMS, or push notifications when new tasks or surveys are ready. You can adjust notification preferences anytime in your Efforia account. To protect your privacy:

• Use passwords or PINs on devices.
• Avoid sharing your accounts with others.

You can learn more about Efforia’s privacy and security standards at https://efforia.com/privacy-policy.

Who Will Have Access to Your Data

Efforia and its research partners (such as labs or connected device providers) will have access to your study data. Access is limited to those directly involved in analysis or study support.

What We Will Do With Your Data

Efforia will use your data to show you personal results and to generate anonymized, aggregated study findings. Your identifiable information will never be shared without your explicit consent.

California Experiential Research Subject’s Bill of Rights

You are entitled to the rights described in the California Experiential Research Subject’s Bill of Rights, which ensures your protection, privacy, and freedom from coercion in research. To learn more about your privacy rights, visit: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy

This study has been reviewed by the Efforia Institutional Review Board (IRB), a group of independent experts who help protect the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants.

If you have questions about your rights as a participant, or would like to speak with someone outside the research team, you can contact the IRB at:
ethics@efforia.com

Efforia has approved the information in this consent form and has given approval to publish this study. This does not mean Efforia has approved or endorses you being in the study. You must consider the information in this consent form and do additional research based on your own situation for yourself and decide if you want to and are appropriate for this study.

If you have questions, please contact help@efforia.com.

It is up to you to do additional research and talk to your physician before joining a study.