High-Soluble Fiber Diet for Sarcopenia

Overseen By Michael S Lustgarten, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Tufts University

Must not be taking: Probiotics, Antibiotics, Immunosuppressants, Corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Malnutrition, Diabetes, Chronic kidney disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 13

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a diet high in soluble fiber can improve muscle health in older adults. Researchers believe that gut bacteria, which feed on this type of fiber, produce substances that might positively affect muscles. Participants will follow either a high-soluble fiber or a low-soluble fiber diet to determine which is more effective. The trial seeks older adults who live independently, have a mostly inactive lifestyle, and are willing to change their diet by adding fiber-rich foods like broccoli, beans, and nuts. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding the potential health benefits of dietary changes.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot use antibiotics or change your medication routine within one month before starting the study. Chronic use of anti-inflammatory medication is also not allowed.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that a diet high in soluble fiber is generally easy to handle and might help improve muscle health. Studies have examined how these diets affect muscle health by altering gut bacteria, especially in older adults. One study found that eating more fiber was linked to having less body fat and more muscle. Another study on animals demonstrated that a high-soluble fiber diet changed gut bacteria in ways that might support muscle health. Overall, these findings suggest that a high-soluble fiber diet could be a safe way to address muscle problems related to aging. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard of care for sarcopenia, which often involves resistance training and protein supplementation, a high-soluble fiber diet is unique because it focuses on dietary intervention to address muscle loss. Researchers are excited about this treatment because soluble fiber may influence gut health and inflammation, potentially leading to improved muscle mass and function. This approach is different from traditional treatments as it targets the gut-muscle axis, offering a novel way to tackle sarcopenia.

What evidence suggests that a high-soluble fiber diet could be effective for improving muscle health in older adults?

This trial will compare the effects of a high-soluble fiber diet with a low-soluble fiber diet on muscle health in older adults. Research has shown that a diet high in soluble fiber can benefit muscle health by altering gut bacteria. In studies with older mice, this diet improved gut bacteria and enhanced muscle health. Although the effect on certain blood markers, like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), was not significant, the overall impact on muscle health was promising. Other research indicates that soluble fiber can boost metabolic health, which is crucial for maintaining strong muscles. These findings suggest that increasing soluble fiber intake could improve muscle health in older adults. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michael S Lustgarten, PhD

Principal Investigator

Scientist II, NEPS Laboratory

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for non-smoking, English-speaking older adults over 65 who live independently and lead a sedentary lifestyle. They should be free of gastrointestinal diseases, willing to eat high-soluble fiber foods without major dietary restrictions or allergies, and not planning significant weight changes or medical procedures that could affect the study.

Inclusion Criteria

Willing to consume an abundance of fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds

I am over 65 years old and live independently.

Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria

I have diabetes and use insulin.

I am currently taking drugs that suppress my immune system.

Unwilling to only consume the provided food (unsweetened tea and/or black coffee are allowed)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomized to consume a high- or low-soluble fiber diet for 12 weeks

12 weeks

Baseline and week-13 visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in muscle-related measures and gut bacterial metabolites

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• High-soluble fiber diet
• Low-soluble fiber diet

Trial Overview

The study tests how diets with different levels of soluble fiber affect gut bacteria and muscle health in older adults. Participants will follow either a low-soluble fiber diet or a high-soluble fiber diet for 13 weeks to see if there's an impact on their muscle-related measures.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Low-soluble fiber diet Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: High-soluble fiber diet Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Tufts University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

271

Recruited

595,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 1618 older adults with sarcopenia, those who were physically active had a 25% lower risk of mortality compared to sedentary individuals, highlighting the importance of physical activity in this population.

Older adults with sarcopenia who maintained good diet quality had a 45% lower risk of death compared to those with poor diet quality, indicating that a healthy diet significantly contributes to better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity, diet quality, and mortality among sarcopenic older adults. Brown, JC., Harhay, MO., Harhay, MN.[2018]

In a study involving Sprague-Dawley rats fed soluble soybean fiber (SSF) at concentrations up to 40,000 ppm for three months, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect level) was determined to be 40,000 ppm, indicating that SSF is safe for consumption at this level.

While initial weight gain and food intake decreased due to increased intestinal throughput, the rats adapted over time, showing improved weight gain and food consumption, suggesting that SSF can be tolerated and may have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Soluble soybean fiber: a 3-month dietary toxicity study in rats. Takahashi, T., Nakamura, A., Kato, M., et al.[2023]

Epidemiologic studies indicate that a higher intake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), leading to new recommendations of 38 g/d for young men and 25 g/d for young women.

Fiber may protect against CHD through various mechanisms, including lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reducing hypertension, and stabilizing blood glucose levels, emphasizing the importance of total fiber intake rather than just focusing on soluble fiber.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary fiber and coronary disease: does the evidence support an association? Lupton, JR., Turner, ND.[2019]

A study involving obese adult patients in western China showed that a diet high in soluble dietary fibers (SDFs) led to significant reductions in weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat rate (BFR), and waistline over a 3-week period.

The reductions in these obesity-related measurements were significantly greater in the SDF group compared to a control group, suggesting that increasing SDF intake can effectively help in managing obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Soluble Dietary Fiber Significance against Obesity in a Western China Population. Tang, Q., Ma, B., Zhao, Y., et al.[2023]

In a study of 65 obese older adults, adherence to a Mediterranean Diet did not show a significant association with a reduced risk of sarcopenic symptoms, such as low muscle strength or poor physical performance.

The findings suggest that while the Mediterranean Diet is generally healthy, it may not directly prevent sarcopenia in this population, indicating a need for further research on dietary interventions to address sarcopenic symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Is Not Associated with Risk of Sarcopenic Symptomology: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Overweight and Obese Older Adults in Australia. Stanton, A., Buckley, J., Villani, A.[2019]

In a study of 189 adults with fecal incontinence, fiber supplementation was generally well tolerated, with minimal gastrointestinal symptoms reported across all groups, indicating safety in using dietary fiber supplements.

The only significant symptom difference was a greater feeling of fullness in the psyllium group compared to placebo, and higher symptom severity was linked to emotional upset, which influenced participants' likelihood to withdraw or reduce their fiber dose.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Symptoms associated with dietary fiber supplementation over time in individuals with fecal incontinence. Bliss, DZ., Savik, K., Jung, HJ., et al.[2021]

A systematic review of 14 studies involving older adults found that following the Mediterranean and Nordic diets is associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenia, which is the loss of muscle mass and strength as people age.

Conversely, diets high in saturated fats, typical of Western eating patterns, are linked to an increased risk of sarcopenia, highlighting the importance of diet quality in maintaining muscle health in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association between Diet Quality and Sarcopenia in Older Adults: Systematic Review of Prospective Cohort Studies. Jang, EH., Han, YJ., Jang, SE., et al.[2021]

In a study of 666 elderly individuals in Japan, adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (JFG-ST) diet was positively associated with higher skeletal mass index (SMI), particularly in men, suggesting that this dietary pattern may help prevent sarcopenia.

No significant associations were found between dietary patterns and muscle strength or walking speed, indicating that while diet can influence muscle mass, it may not directly affect other aspects of physical performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Patterns and Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance in the Elderly: A 3-Year Cohort Study. Huang, CH., Okada, K., Matsushita, E., et al.[2021]

Higher adherence to the Baltic Sea diet (BSD) and Mediterranean diet (MED) is associated with less loss of muscle mass and better physical function in elderly women over a 3-year period, based on a study of 554 women aged 65-72.

Women with higher BSD and MED scores demonstrated greater lean mass, faster walking speeds, and better performance in physical tests, suggesting that improved diet quality may help reduce the risk of sarcopenia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of the Baltic Sea and Mediterranean diets with indices of sarcopenia in elderly women, OSPTRE-FPS study. Isanejad, M., Sirola, J., Mursu, J., et al.[2018]

Most research on dietary fiber effects comes from adult studies, indicating that excessive intake of isolated fibers or nonpurified supplements can lead to issues like intestinal obstruction and reduced nutrient absorption.

Including natural fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in children's diets is essential for meeting fiber intake recommendations, but portion sizes should be smaller than those for adults to prevent appetite suppression and ensure a balanced diet.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary fiber. Schneeman, BO., Tinker, LF.[2019]

In a study of 300 elderly adults in Iran, a dietary pattern rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients was linked to significantly lower odds of sarcopenia and low muscle strength, suggesting that certain nutrient intakes can help maintain muscle health.

Adherence to a carbohydrate-rich dietary pattern was also associated with a reduced risk of low gait speed, indicating that specific nutrient patterns may play a role in preventing mobility issues in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patterns of Nutrient Intake in Relation to Sarcopenia and Its Components. Bagheri, A., Hashemi, R., Heshmat, R., et al.[2023]

In a study of 861 older adults in China, a dietary pattern rich in mushrooms, fruits, and milk was found to be negatively associated with sarcopenia, suggesting it may help protect against this condition.

The study indicated that higher protein intake and lower energy percentage from fat (less than 30%) were linked to reduced risk of sarcopenia, highlighting the importance of both protein and dietary fat composition in managing this age-related muscle loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Pattern and Dietary Energy from Fat Associated with Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Chinese People: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Regions of China. Li, C., Kang, B., Zhang, T., et al.[2023]

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