Lean Pork in Plant-Based Diet for Healthy Aging

(PRODMED2 Trial)

Overseen By Moul Dey, Ph.D.

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: South Dakota State University

Disqualifiers: Cancer, Diabetes, Heart, Liver, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 16 weeks

59 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if adding lean pork to a plant-based diet can improve health in people aged 65 and older. The goal is to see if the extra nutrients from pork can help with brain function, muscle strength, and overall health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must be willing to consume pork as the sole meat source and abstain from certain nutritional supplements, alcohol, or non-study foods during the study period.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment involving lean pork in a plant-based diet for healthy aging?

Research suggests that lean pork can provide important nutrients like protein, which may support healthy aging. However, studies show that lean pork has similar effects on body composition as other meats like beef and chicken, indicating it may not have unique benefits over other protein sources. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is lean pork safe to include in a plant-based diet for healthy aging?

Research shows that lean pork is a good source of protein and nutrients like zinc and vitamin B6, and its consumption does not negatively affect health markers when included in a balanced diet. Studies comparing pork with other meats like beef and chicken found no significant differences in health outcomes, suggesting that lean pork is generally safe for consumption. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

How does the treatment of lean pork in a plant-based diet for healthy aging differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it combines lean pork, a nutrient-rich source of protein and essential vitamins, with a plant-based diet to potentially improve body composition and cognitive performance in older adults, unlike traditional plant-based diets that may lack certain nutrients found in animal products. ^{2 8 9 10 11}

Research Team

Moul Dey, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

South Dakota State University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people aged 65 or older who are generally healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have a normal HbA1C level. Participants should currently follow a meat-based diet without special dietary requirements and be willing to eat meals on-site and provide samples.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 65 years or older and in good health.

Generally good health status based on one routine physical in the past 15 months, current health status

My HbA1C levels are normal and I weigh at least 110 lb.

Exclusion Criteria

My kidney function is not normal.

I have a history of cancer, diabetes, heart, liver, or kidney diseases.

If they were unwilling to abstain from taking nutritional supplements, alcohol, non-study foods, and beverage during the study period.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants follow a plant-forward diet with or without lean pork for 16 weeks

16 weeks

Washout

A 2-week washout period between diet phases

2 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Role of Lean-pork Within a Plant-based Dietary Pattern

Trial Overview The study tests if adding lean pork to a plant-only diet improves cognitive function, muscle fitness, and immune-metabolic functions in older adults. It's an all-food-provided study comparing two diets over 18 weeks with comprehensive health assessments.

Participant Groups

Group I: Low-ultra-processed Omnivorous Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Minimally processed animal protein-lean pork within a low UPF dietary pattern

Group II: Low-ultra-processed No meat Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Plant-forward no meat

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

South Dakota State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

21

Recruited

10,100+

Findings from Research

In a 20-year study of 1,139 older adults, higher intake of animal protein was linked to lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting it may have protective health benefits for this age group.

Plant protein intake did not show a direct association with mortality outcomes, but its effects varied based on the presence of hypertension, indicating that individual health conditions may influence dietary impacts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal Protein Intake Is Inversely Associated With Mortality in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study. Meroño, T., Zamora-Ros, R., Hidalgo-Liberona, N., et al.[2022]

In a nine-month study involving 49 overweight or obese adults, regular consumption of pork, beef, or chicken did not lead to significant differences in body mass index (BMI) or other markers of body fat.

The findings suggest that diets high in pork protein do not provide unique benefits for body composition compared to other high-protein meats like beef and chicken, indicating that the type of meat may not significantly impact adiposity in overweight individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of regular consumption of fresh lean pork, beef and chicken on body composition: a randomized cross-over trial. Murphy, KJ., Parker, B., Dyer, KA., et al.[2022]

In a 6-month study involving 164 overweight adults, those who incorporated up to 1 kg of lean pork per week showed significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat compared to a control group.

The weight loss observed in the pork group was primarily due to a decrease in fat mass, with no adverse effects on lean mass or other metabolic parameters, suggesting that lean pork can be a beneficial addition to a weight loss diet.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of eating fresh lean pork on cardiometabolic health parameters. Murphy, KJ., Thomson, RL., Coates, AM., et al.[2021]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The association of animal and plant protein with successful ageing: a combined analysis of MEDIS and ATTICA epidemiological studies. [2023]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Consumption Patterns and the Nutritional Contribution of Total, Processed, Fresh, and Fresh-Lean Pork to the U.S. Diet. [2023]

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

Animal Protein Intake Is Inversely Associated With Mortality in Older Adults: The InCHIANTI Study. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A comparison of regular consumption of fresh lean pork, beef and chicken on body composition: a randomized cross-over trial. [2022]

5. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plant-Based Diet and Risk of Frailty in Older Chinese Adults. [2023]

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

Plant-based dietary patterns in relation to mortality among older adults in China. [2023]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Pork (All Pork, Fresh Pork and Processed Pork) Consumption with Nutrient Intakes and Adequacy in US Children (Age 2-18 Years) and Adults (Age 19+ Years): NHANES 2011-2018 Analysis. [2023]

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

Fresh and fresh lean pork are substantial sources of key nutrients when these products are consumed by adults in the United States. [2013]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of eating fresh lean pork on cardiometabolic health parameters. [2021]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plant-based dietary pattern and low muscle mass: a nation-wide cohort analysis of Chinese older adults. [2023]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Pork Intake with Cognitive Performance in Older Adults Enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2011-2014 Data Cycles. [2023]