Clinical trial NCT05985369: Vegan and Omnivorous Diets and Skeletal Muscle Turnover in Healthy Older Adults
Official title: The Effects of a High-quality Vegan Diet on Skeletal Muscle Maintenance and Adaptation in Comparison to a Protein-matched Omnivorous Diet in Healthy Older Adults.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Healthy Aging
Keywords: Muscle metabolism
Protein metabolism
Sarcopenia
Resistance exercise
Lead sponsor: University of Exeter
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-08-14
Enrollment: 22
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 60
Maximum age (years): 80
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: 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.

Detailed description: 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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI between 18.5 - 30
* Active (not very sedentary and not master athlete; assessed via IPAQ)
* Women only: post menopause

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hypertension (\>150/90 mmHg)
* Any diagnosed metabolic impairment
* Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease
* Any diagnosed gastrointestinal disease
* Diagnosed cancer
* Any medication known to affect muscle metabolism (e.g. hormone replacement therapy)
* Severe food allergies or intolerances (e.g. celiac, lactose intolerance, allergic to fungi or algae foods)
* Smoking

Primary outcomes:
measure: Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in resting and exercised tissue
timeFrame: 7 days
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Muscle morphology
timeFrame: 7 days
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Exeter
country: United Kingdom
facility: University of Exeter
state: Devond
Study officials:
References: