Use of Coconut Nourish and Queen Garnet Plum to Improve Health in an Elderly Population

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to identify whether the combination of coconut Nourish and Queen Garnet plum are able to attenuate ageing-related complications, including muscle mass loss and inflammation. The study endpoints will measure muscle mass as the primary endpoint with blood lipids, glucose, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers serving as some of the secondary endpoints. As the two products are rich in dietary fibre and anthocyanins, respectively, the study outcome will help to understand role of these dietary components in improving complications that are seen quite frequently in elderly population.

Official Title
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Use of Coconut Nourish and Queen Garnet Plum to Improve Health in an Elderly Population

Conditions
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Healthy Ageing

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Treatment cookies
* Other: Control cookies


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged 65 years and above Able to give written informed consent Able to read, write and speak English Body mass index less than or equal to 30 kg/m^2 Either do not suffer from a chronic disease or, if suffering from a chronic disease, then key parameters (blood pressure, blood lipids concentration and blood glucose concentrations) are within the normal physiological range Either take no chronic medication or have been treated with a stable dosage of medication for at least 3 months as confirmed by family physician. Either take no supplements, or have been utilizing supplements in a stable and consistent dose for at least 3 months, and plan to continue taking a stable and consistent dose throughout the entire study. Exclusion Criteria: Smokers Consumption of more than 2 alcoholic drinks/day, or > 14 alcoholic beverages a week, or history of alcoholism or drug dependence Uncontrolled hypertension, recent stroke or myocardial infarction, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus or kidney disease Major disability or disorder requiring continuous medical attention and treatment such as chronic heart failure, liver disease, renal failure or cancer, chronic infections or major surgery within 6 months prior to randomization Despite taking medication, do not have values for key parameters (blood pressure, blood lipids concentration and blood glucose concentrations) within normal physiological ranges Fasting glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L Triglycerides ≥ 1.7 mmol/L Systolic and diastolic blood pressures ≥130/85 mmHg High-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤1.0 mmol/L Have gained or lost >10 lbs in the previous 3 months, or plan to lose weight at any time during the study History of allergy to coconut, plum, plain flour, butter or milk Any planned surgeries during the study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment cookies<br> | Other: Treatment cookies<br>* Plain flour, Coconut Nourish, Queen Garnet Plum, Unsalted Butter, Artificial Sweetener<br>|
| Active Comparator: Control cookies<br> | Other: Control cookies<br>* Plain flour, Coconut Powder, Unsalted Butter, Artificial Sweetener, Food Colour<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lean mass | Measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body weight |  | 8 weeks | 
| Body mass index | Weight and height will be combined to report BMI in kg/m^2 | 8 weeks | 
| Waist circumference |  | 8 weeks | 
| Arm circumference |  | 8 weeks | 
| Wrist circumference |  | 8 weeks | 
| Calf circumference |  | 8 weeks | 
| Triceps skinfold |  | 8 weeks | 
| Five times chair standing test |  | 8 weeks | 
| Handgrip dynamometer |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood pressure | Systolic and diastolic pressure will be assessed | 8 weeks | 
| Heart rate |  | 8 weeks | 
| Bone mineral density | Measured using DXA | 8 weeks | 
| Bone mineral content | Measured using DXA | 8 weeks | 
| Fat mass | Measured using DXA | 8 weeks | 
| Blood total cholesterol |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood triglycerides |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood glucose |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood C-reactive protein |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood interleukin 1 beta |  | 8 weeks | 
| Blood tumor necrosis factor alpha |  | 8 weeks |