Plant-based Diet in Older People: What Consequences for Muscle Health?

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Plant-enriched dietary intervention: Participants follow a diet enriched in plant-based foods with approximately 70% of protein from plant sources and 30% from animal sources for 3 months, with tailored dietary guidance, meal planning support, and compliance monitored through food diaries and periodic follow-up.

Control diet: Participants follow a standard diet with approximately 70% of protein from animal sources and 30% from plant sources for 3 months, with general nutritional guidance and compliance monitored through food diaries and periodic consultations.

Study summary

This randomized, controlled, two-arm clinical study aims to determine how increasing the proportion of plant-based foods in the diet affects skeletal muscle strength, mass and function, protein metabolism, microbiota and key metabolic markers in healthy older men and women. We hypothesize that diets enriched with animal-based foods will maintain maximal quadriceps strength-the primary outcome of the study-more effectively after the 3-month nutritional intervention than plant-based diets. Proteomic analyses will be performed to identify molecular mechanisms and potential muscle biomarkers reflecting metabolic adaptations of skeletal muscle to plant-enriched diets. In addition, metabolic health markers and micronutrient status will be evaluated to better understand the overall health effects of dietary plant-based transition in older adults.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Maximal Quadriceps Strength — Baseline and Month 3
  Maximal voluntary contraction of the quadriceps muscle will be measured using a standardized dynamometer. This outcome evaluates the primary effect of the dietary intervention on skeletal muscle strength in older adults.

Trial sites (1)

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