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Effects of Allium fistulosum L. (Green Onion) Root and Avena sativa L. (Oat) Mixtures (WCO31) on the Height of Children: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

  • 2026-04-22
  • Nutrients 18(9)
    • You-Jin Kim
    • Do-Yeon Kim
    • Seong-In Cheong
    • Hye Jeong Yang
    • Min Jung Kim
    • Hyun-Jun Jang
    • Myung-Sunny Kim
    • Dai Ja Jang
    • Nu-Ri Ha
    • Seul-Ki Kim
    • Min-Hwan Bae
    • Jong-Cheon Joo
    • Soo-Jung Park

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 150
Population
150 children aged 6-8 years (75 males and 75 females) who fell between the 3rd and 50th percentiles of the Korean National Growth Charts but had not yet developed secondary sexual characteristics
Methods
multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study; daily oral administration of WCO31 (1.2 g/day) or a placebo for 24 weeks
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
24 weeks
Funding
Unclear
  • Large Human Trial
  • Rigorous Journal
Background/Objectives: Following prior in vitro and in vivo investigations on the bone health benefits of green onions and oats, we aimed to assess the effects of WCO31, Allium fistulosum L. (green onion) root and Avena sativa L. (oat) mixtures, on height growth and safety. Methods: This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 150 children aged 6-8 years (75 males and 75 females) who fell between the 3rd and 50th percentiles of the Korean National Growth Charts but had not yet developed secondary sexual characteristics. They were randomly assigned to receive daily oral administration of WCO31 (1.2 g/day) or a placebo for 24 weeks. For efficacy analysis, height, growth rate, growth rate standard deviation score (SDS), height SDS, and growth-related parameters were measured. To evaluate the safety of the intervention, several safety parameters (including the incidence of adverse events, laboratory tests, and vital signs) were monitored. Results: The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001). Moreover, no safety-related concerns were identified. Conclusions: WCO31 positively influences height growth and demonstrates a favorable safety profile, with no observable adverse effects. This study provides the first clinical evidence supporting growth enhancement using natural extracts, suggesting that WCO31 could serve as a cost-effective, safe, and accessible complementary strategy for promoting child growth.

Research Insights

  • Oat→Improved Growth Rate Standard Deviation Score

    The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1.2 g/day (as part of WCO31 mixture)
  • Oat→Improved Height Standard Deviation Score

    The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1.2 g/day (as part of WCO31 mixture)
  • Oat→Improved Height-for-Age Z-Score

    The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1.2 g/day (as part of WCO31 mixture)
  • Oat→Increased Growth Rate

    The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1.2 g/day (as part of WCO31 mixture)
  • Oat→Increased Height

    The WCO31 group demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, including height, growth rate, growth rate SDS, height SDS, and height-for-age Z-score, than the placebo group (all p < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    1.2 g/day (as part of WCO31 mixture)

Adverse Events Reported

  • Oat→Overall tolerability

    Moreover, no safety-related concerns were identified.

    Finding
    Reported
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