Plant-based Diets and Healthy Aging

NCT07151365 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: EC1131206IRB approval number
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 5,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective study investigates the health effects of vegetarian and plant-based diets in middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan, specifically, recruiting 5000 Tzu Chi volunteers. Previous Tzu Chi cohorts found vegetarian diets were protectively associated with incidences of diabetes, stroke, gout, cataracts, insomnia, and gallstones, while reducing healthcare costs. The study also aims to clarify dietary patterns-particularly plant-based and vegetarian diets-and determine how potential deficiencies or excesses of various nutrients influence common aging-related health issues, including healthy cognitive decline, sarcopenia, and the risk of age-related diseases, in order to inform dietary and lifestyle recommendations that promote healthy aging and maintain physical function.

Conditions

Healthy Aging; Sarcopenia; Frailty; Cognitive Decline

Keywords

Vegetarian diets; Plant-based diets; Healthy aging; Cognitive decline; Sarcopenia; Frailty

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Cognitive Function

  Cognitive function will be assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MoCA\], Taiwanese version. (Score range 0-30, unit = points). A score ≥26 is generally considered normal, while scores \<26 suggest possible cognitive impairment. Outcomes will be reported both as continuous MoCA scores and as a binary classification (normal vs. impaired).

  From enrollment to three-year follow-up, six-year follow up

• Appendicular skeletal muscle mass

  Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) will be assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), with height-adjusted cutoffs of \<7.0 kg/m² in men and \<5.7 kg/m² in women defined as low ASM. Results will be reported as both continuous measures (kg/m²) and categorical measures (normal or low ASM).

  From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-up

• Grip strength

  Grip strength will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer, with cutoffs defined as \<28 kg for men and \<18 kg for women. Results will be reported as continuous measures (kg).

  From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-up

• Sarcopenia

  Sarcopenia will be defined as the combined presence of low ASM and low grip strength. Results will be reported as a binary outcome (yes/no).

  From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-up

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Middle-aged and older adults (≥40 years) who are volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation or their relatives and friends, participating in the 2-day comprehensive health examination program in Taiwan.

You may qualify if:

• Age 40 years or older.
• Volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
• Participating in the 2-day comprehensive health examination program.

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnant individual.
• Diagnosed with dementia or poor cognition resulting in inability to answer questionnaires.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital.

Dalin, Chiayi, 622, Taiwan

RECRUITING

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

blood

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia; Frailty; Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Pathologic Processes; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Hsueh-Ting Chiu, PhD

  National Health Research Institutes, Taiwan

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hsueh-Ting Chiu, PhD

CONTACT

+886-5-6325080; tinachiu@nhri.edu.tw

Wen-Ling Lin, PhD

CONTACT

+886-5-6325080; wenling926@nhri.edu.tw

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2025
• First Posted: September 3, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

TW (1)