NCT05624333

Brief Summary

Consumers are increasingly encouraged to consume more plant-based foods and lower their consumption of foods from animal origin. However, the consequences of such a transition on muscle mass still remains to be explored. This is of particular importance in the older population, where sarcopenia is highly prevalent. The aim of this randomized controlled cross-over study is to investigate the short-term effect of a 10-day controlled vegan diet on daily muscle fractional synthesis rates in comparison to a 10-day controlled omnivorous diet in 35 community-dwelling older adults. Participants will follow a fully controlled vegan diet, directly followed by a fully controlled omnivorous diet for 10 days, or vice versa. Researchers will compare the effect of the vegan diet to the effect of the omnivorous diet.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
38

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2023

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 8, 2022

Completed
14 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 22, 2022

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 9, 2023

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 13, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 13, 2023

Completed
Last Updated

March 24, 2023

Status Verified

March 1, 2023

Enrollment Period

1 month

First QC Date

November 8, 2022

Last Update Submit

March 23, 2023

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS)

    MPS, expressed as daily fractional synthesis rates (FSR, %/day), will be assessed using a deuterium oxide protocol. Daily FSR will be calculated using the 2\^H-alanine enrichment in plasma and the mixed muscle-bound 2\^H-alanine enrichment.

    10 days

Secondary Outcomes (5)

  • Appetite

    Measured daily for 10 days during each diet

  • Change in fasting plasma glucose

    Change after 10 days of following each diet

  • Change in fasting plasma insulin

    Change after 10 days of following each diet

  • Change in fasting plasma lipid profile

    Change after 10 days of following each diet

  • Change in blood pressure

    Change after 10 days of following each diet

Study Arms (2)

VO group

OTHER

Vegan diet followed by Omnivorous diet

Other: Vegan diet (intervention)Other: Omnivorous diet (control)

OV group

OTHER

Omnivorous diet followed by Vegan diet

Other: Vegan diet (intervention)Other: Omnivorous diet (control)

Interventions

The intervention diet will be a fully controlled vegan diet that will be consumed for a duration of 10 days. No animal-based food products will be included in the diet.

OV groupVO group

The control diet will be an a priori composed controlled omnivorous diet with a duration of 10 days. The omnivorous diet and the vegan diet will be isocaloric and isonitrogenous.

OV groupVO group

Eligibility Criteria

Age65 Years - 79 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged 65-79 years old;
  • Community-dwelling;
  • BMI 20-35 kg/m\^2.

You may not qualify if:

  • Following a vegetarian or vegan diet during the six months prior to the study;
  • Following a diet that affects protein intake during the six months prior to the study;
  • Participating in a structured exercise training program in the past three months;
  • % or more body weight loss during three months before the start of the study;
  • Being diagnosed with one of the following: diabetes; renal disease; neurological or neuromuscular disorders; serious cardiovascular diseases; cancer; chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD);
  • Chronic use of medication that affects muscle function, e.g. corticosteroids, metformin, insulin;
  • The use of the following medicines: acenocoumarol (sintrom); phenprocoumon (marcoumar); dabigatran (pradaxa); apixaban (eliquis); rivaroxaban (xarelto); clopidogrel (plavix); combination of acetylsalicylic acid or carbasalate calcium (ascal) with dipyridamole.
  • Allergic or intolerant to any product included in the diets;
  • Not willing to stop nutritional supplements, with the exception of supplements on medical advice, and vitamin D;
  • Not willing or afraid to give blood or undergo a muscle biopsy during the study;
  • Unwilling to eat a vegan and an omnivorous diet for ten days each;
  • Currently a research participant in another trial or participated in a clinical trial during three months before the start of the measurement period;
  • Not being able to understand Dutch;
  • Not having a general physician.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Wageningen University and Research

Wageningen, Gelderland, 6708 WE, Netherlands

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Domic J, Pinckaers PJ, Grootswagers P, Siebelink E, Gerdessen JC, van Loon LJ, de Groot LC. A Well-Balanced Vegan Diet Does not Compromise Daily Mixed Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates when Compared with an Omnivorous Diet in Active Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Cross-Over Trial. J Nutr. 2025 Apr;155(4):1141-1150. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.12.019. Epub 2024 Dec 26.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Interventions

Diet, VeganMethods

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular AtrophyNeuromuscular ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesAtrophyPathological Conditions, AnatomicalPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diet, VegetarianDiet, Plant-BasedDiet TherapyNutrition TherapyTherapeuticsDietNutritional Physiological PhenomenaDiet, Food, and NutritionPhysiological PhenomenaInvestigative Techniques

Study Officials

  • Lisette de Groot

    Wageningen University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Prof. Dr. Ir. L.C.P.G.M. (Lisette) de Groot

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 8, 2022

First Posted

November 22, 2022

Study Start

January 9, 2023

Primary Completion

February 13, 2023

Study Completion

February 13, 2023

Last Updated

March 24, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-03

Locations