An interventional study of Controlled diet and resistance exercise in Healthy Aging, sponsored by University of Exeter. Completed at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 60 Years to 80 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-04-24.
Sponsored by University of Exeter · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
Dietary protein intake and physical activity are key to minimise the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. While animal-derived protein sources are considered high-quality anabolic foods, it remains unclear whether non-animal-derived (vegan) protein sources support skeletal muscle maintenance and healthy ageing. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of a vegan diet on daily muscle protein synthesis rates compared to a protein-matched omnivorous diet where the majority of protein is derived from high-quality animal-based protein sources.
Background: The age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is (partly) explained by a blunted responsiveness of skeletal muscle to the anabolic properties of dietary protein and muscle contraction. Therefore, sufficient dietary protein intake and physical activity are required to minimise age-related muscle atrophy. It remains unknown whether this can be achieved utilising non-animal-derived (vegan) protein sources.
Objective: To assess daily muscle protein synthesis rates when adopting a vegan or protein-matched omnivorous control diet.
Methods: Healthy older adults (aged 60-80 years) will be randomly allocated to a completely controlled 1-week vegan (providing 0.8 g/kg BW/day protein) or protein-matched omnivorous diet. During this week, participants will perform a set of unilateral leg resistance exercise on day 1, 3, and 5. Deuterium oxide in combination with saliva and muscle sample (from the m. vastus lateralis) collection will be used to measure daily muscle protein synthesis rates in resting and exercised tissue.
Value: This will be the first study assessing daily muscle protein turnover in healthy older adults adopting a 1-week vegan diet. This will contribute to the understanding and viability of vegan protein to support active and healthy ageing.
University of Exeter is the lead sponsor of 138 studies on the registry; 25 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will be allocated to a fully controlled 1-week vegan diet containing 0.8 g/kg BW/day of protein where all protein provided will be derived from non-animal-derived protein sources.
Other: Controlled diet and resistance exercise
Participants will be allocated to a fully controlled 1-week omnivorous diet containing 0.8 g/kg BW/day of protein where the majority of protein will be derived from animal-derived protein sources.
Other: Controlled diet and resistance exercise
Participants will adopt a 1-week completely controlled diet and perform 3 sessions of unilateral leg resistance exercise.
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in resting and exercised tissue
Daily MPS rates, expressed as fractional synthetic rate (%/h)
Time frame: 7 days
Muscle morphology
Changes in muscle thickness during the intervention period, measured via ultrasound
Time frame: 7 days
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2024. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Exeter