Snacks for Aging

Overseen By Tatiana Diacova, PhD, RD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Steroids, Anti-inflammatories, Antibiotics, others

Disqualifiers: Nut allergy, Chronic disease, Smoker, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 12

Duration: 12 weeks

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily consumption of 2 oz of pecans compared to 3.5 oz pretzel snacks for 12 weeks will 1) contribute to the body's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage (caused by oxygen radicals created by ultraviolet (UV) B light) by evaluating skin resistance to UV light irritation, skin fats/oils degradation and "rusting", and oxidative damage to the skin genes; and 2) explore the mechanisms of how snack consumption may affect aging by analyzing blood markers of aging as well as the microbes living in the gut (gut microbiome).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, such as skin-related prescription medications, supplements, or non-prescription skin agents, as well as any medications or supplements that affect gut bacteria. If you are taking these, you may need to stop before joining the study.

Is the treatment generally safe for humans?

Pecans have been associated with a low risk of salmonellosis (a type of food poisoning) when consumed, with a predicted mean risk of 1 case per 775,193 servings. Proper processing, such as hot conditioning, can significantly reduce this risk. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the pecan and pretzel treatment differ from other treatments for aging?

The pecan and pretzel treatment is unique because it involves consuming pecans, which are rich in compounds that reduce oxidative stress, potentially improving heart and metabolic health in aging adults. Unlike typical treatments, this approach focuses on dietary changes rather than medication. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Pecan, Pretzel in the Snacks for Aging clinical trial?

The research on sensory-enhanced, fortified snacks shows that providing enhanced snacks can improve the quality of nutritional intake among older adults, which might suggest that snacks like pecans and pretzels could also help improve nutrition in aging populations. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women aged 55-75 with a BMI of 18.5-34.9, who have a certain skin type and eat a Western diet low in polyphenols and fiber. They must be generally healthy, not use makeup during visits, and keep their usual diet and exercise routine. Exclusions include vegetarians/vegans, nut allergies, pregnancy, significant lab abnormalities, high alcohol intake or recent weight changes.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI 18.5-34.9 kg/m2

I am between 55 and 75 years old.

Fitzpatrick Skin type II-IV

Exclusion Criteria

Vegetarian/vegan

Known nut allergy

Pregnancy and/or lactation

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume either 2 oz of pecans or 3.5 oz of pretzel snacks daily to evaluate antioxidant effects and aging mechanisms

12 weeks

Baseline and week 12 visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Pecan
• Pretzel

Trial Overview The study tests if eating pecans versus pretzels daily over 12 weeks affects aging by improving skin's defense against UV light damage and oxidative stress to fats/oils and genes in the skin. It also examines blood markers of aging and gut microbiome changes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Pretzel arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will consume 3.5 oz of pretzel snacks daily for 12 weeks

Group II: Pecan arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participats in this arm will be comsuming 2 oz of pecans daily for 12 wekks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

American Pecan Promotion Board

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

60+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 54 overweight and obese adults, consuming mixed nuts as a snack led to lower levels of appetite hormones like leptin and ghrelin, indicating increased satiety without raising blood glucose or insulin levels.

In contrast, pretzel consumption resulted in higher subjective satiety and lower hunger but also caused significant increases in glucose and insulin, suggesting that mixed nuts may be a healthier snack option for weight management.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed Nuts May Promote Satiety While Maintaining Stable Blood Glucose and Insulin in Healthy, Obese, and Overweight Adults in a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. Godwin, N., Roberts, T., Hooshmand, S., et al.[2019]

A pilot study involving 12 Meals on Wheels clients showed that providing high protein, high energy snacks significantly improved nutritional status, with a notable increase in energy and protein intake, and a reduction in the number of clients categorized as malnourished.

The study found that while the additional snacks led to increased body weight and BMI, only half of the participants expressed interest in continuing the program, indicating that not all clients recognized the benefits of the snacks for their health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"It could probably help someone else but not me": a feasibility study of a snack programme offered to meals on wheels clients. Charlton, KE., Walton, K., Moon, L., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Obesity in High Risk Populations. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can an Ice-Cream Based Supplement Help Address Malnutrition in Orthogeriatric Patients? [2022]

3. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"It could probably help someone else but not me": a feasibility study of a snack programme offered to meals on wheels clients. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sensory-Enhanced, Fortified Snacks for Improved Nutritional Intake Among Nursing Home Residents. [2022]

5. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study circles improve the precision in nutritional care in special accommodations. [2021]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

U.S. Consumer Practices of Homemade Nut-based Dairy Analogs and Soaked Nuts. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Quantitative Assessment of the Risk of Human Salmonellosis Arising from the Consumption of Pecans in the United States. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of propylene oxide treatment on the microflora of pecans. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantitative risk assessment of foods containing peanut advisory labeling. [2013]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Taking Stock of Dietary Supplements' Harmful Effects on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. [2020]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A 4-Week Pecan-Enriched Diet Improves Postprandial Lipid Peroxidation in Aging Adults. [2023]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mixed Nuts May Promote Satiety While Maintaining Stable Blood Glucose and Insulin in Healthy, Obese, and Overweight Adults in a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. [2019]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Targeted metabolomics reveals key phenolic changes in pecan nut quality deterioration under different storage conditions. [2023]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thermal Inactivation of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in Peanut Butter-Filled Pretzels and Whole Wheat Pita Chips. [2023]

15. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Variation in pigments in pecan testa during kernel development and storage. [2023]