Plant-based Protein Blends for Healthy Nutrition in Older Adults

Overseen By James McKendry, Ph.D.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Must not be taking: NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, Testosterone, others

Disqualifiers: Cancer, Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

48 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and dietary habits are the most effective non-pharmacological strategies to combat the loss of muscle mass and the development of mobility limitations with aging. Resistance training (i.e., strengthening exercise) provides a strong stimulus to build muscle mass, and protein provides the essential building blocks. Therefore, an individual's dietary practices can influence the effectiveness of an exercise program - when combined, they work together to increase the muscle-building response. However, not all proteins are equally effective at bringing about muscle growth. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a higher-quality plant-based protein blend with lifting weight on muscle building in older men and women.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop using certain medications and supplements, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, testosterone replacement therapy, anabolic steroids, creatine, whey protein supplements, casein, or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) at least 45 days before joining the study.

Is plant-based protein safe for older adults?

Research suggests that plant-based proteins like pea protein are generally safe for older adults, as they have similar effects on body composition and muscle health as milk proteins. Studies in both humans and animal models show no adverse effects, indicating that these proteins can be a safe part of a balanced diet. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Corn+Pea protein treatment differ from other treatments for nutrition in older adults?

The Corn+Pea protein treatment is unique because it combines plant-based proteins, which are gaining popularity for their health benefits and environmental sustainability, with the potential to improve amino acid availability compared to single plant or dairy proteins. This blend may help older adults achieve better nutritional intake and muscle health, similar to traditional animal-based proteins, while offering a plant-based alternative. ^{1 2 3 5 6}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Corn+Pea protein ingestion, Cron protein ingestion, Milk protein ingestion, Non-protein, low energy for healthy nutrition in older adults?

Research shows that plant-based proteins can improve muscle mass in older adults, and high-protein foods like milk can prevent malnutrition. These findings suggest that the treatments in the trial may help maintain or improve nutritional status in older adults. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Stuart Phillips, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

McMaster University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for non-smoking, recreationally active older adults aged 60-80 with a BMI of 18.5-30 who are in good health and understand English. Exclusions include tobacco users, those with certain illnesses or excessive alcohol consumption, assistive device users, recent cancer patients (with some exceptions), and individuals on specific medications or supplements.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 60 and 80 years old.

Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-30 kg/m2 (inclusive)

Be in good general health

Exclusion Criteria

I haven't used NSAIDs, steroids, testosterone, creatine, whey protein, casein, or BCAAs in the last 45 days.

A history of falls determined by a score >25 on the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I)

I haven't had cancer in the last 5 years, except for specific non-aggressive types.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Experimental Visit

Participants consume assigned protein or carbohydrate supplement and undergo measurements

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in muscle protein synthesis and plasma markers

5 hours

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Corn+Pea protein ingestion
• Cron protein ingestion
• Milk protein ingestion
• Non-protein, low energy

Trial Overview The study examines the muscle-building effects of a high-quality plant-based protein blend combined with weight lifting in older adults. It compares the effectiveness of corn+pea protein ingestion versus milk protein and other controls to see which supports muscle growth better when paired with resistance training.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Non-protein, low energy Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Consuming 20 g of carbohydrate dissolved in 350mL of water, one time at the experimental visit

Group II: Milk protein ingestion Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Consuming 20 g of Milk Protein dissolved in 350mL of water, one time at the experiment visit

Group III: Corn+Pea protein ingestion Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Consuming 20 g of Corn+Pea protein isolation dissolved in 350mL of water, one time at the experimental visit

Group IV: Corn protein ingestion Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Consuming 20 g of Corn protein isolation dissolved in 350mL of water, one time at the experimental visit

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Short-term oral protein-energy supplementation in moderately malnourished elderly patients significantly increased dietary intake (energy by 32% and protein by 65%) and fat-free mass (FFM) by 1.3 kg, indicating its efficacy in improving nutritional status.

The study highlights the importance of using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess changes in FFM, as other methods like bio-impedance analysis and anthropometry did not accurately reflect these changes, suggesting a need for larger studies to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional status after short-term dietary supplementation in hospitalized malnourished geriatric patients. Bos, C., Benamouzig, R., Bruhat, A., et al.[2007]

Citations

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

The value of dietary plant protein in older people. [2023]

2. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Provision of High Protein Foods Slows the Age-Related Decline in Nutritional Status in Aged Care Residents: A Cluster-Randomised Controlled Trial. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional status after short-term dietary supplementation in hospitalized malnourished geriatric patients. [2007]

4. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Diet Modeling in Older Americans: The Impact of Increasing Plant-Based Foods or Dairy Products on Protein Intake. [2021]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Plant-Based Protein Interventions, with and without an Exercise Component, on Body Composition, Strength and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Postprandial amino acid response after the ingestion of pea protein, milk protein, casein and a casein-pea blend, in healthy older adults. [2023]

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

Pea Proteins Have Anabolic Effects Comparable to Milk Proteins on Whole Body Protein Retention and Muscle Protein Metabolism in Old Rats. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of dairy and plant protein on growth and growth biomarkers in a piglet model. [2022]

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

Protein Source and Muscle Health in Older Adults: A Literature Review. [2021]