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Metabolic Health, Bones and Nuts During Weight Loss in Adults

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Weight Loss
Bone Density
Obesity and Overweight
Registration Number
NCT06949280
Lead Sponsor
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Brief Summary

The aging population is rapidly increasing, and it is important to identify dietary factors that can prevent disease and promote health in this group. Legumes, such as peanuts, are a plant-based food high in protein and unsaturated fat making this a healthy choice but are not consumed frequently enough in older adults. Studies have shown that regular nut consumption is associated with lower adiposity and reduced weight gain, and several dietary pattern studies indicate that nuts and legumes are associated with better bone health. In addition, our preliminary translational data indicates that a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) intake is associated with improved bone mineral density (BMD) and quality. Given these findings, the proposed study aims to examine the impact of consuming peanut products on bone health, metabolic health (e.g., serum glucose, insulin, lipids and inflammation), markers of brain and sleep health, and physical function in overweight and obese older adults before and after a six-month weight loss intervention using a randomized controlled design. The results of this study have the potential to provide valuable insights into the role of peanuts as a sources of fatty acids in promoting health and preventing disease in at-risk adults.

Detailed Description

The aging population is rapidly increasing, and it is important to identify dietary factors that can prevent disease and promote health in this group. Legumes, such as peanuts, are a plant-based food high in protein and unsaturated fat making this a healthy choice but are not consumed frequently enough in older adults. Studies have shown that regular nut consumption is associated with lower adiposity and reduced weight gain, and several dietary pattern studies indicate that nuts and legumes are associated with better bone health. In addition, our preliminary translational data indicates that a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) intake is associated with improved bone mineral density (BMD) and quality. Given these findings, the proposed study aims to examine the impact of consuming peanut products on bone health, metabolic health (e.g., serum glucose, insulin, lipids and inflammation), markers of brain and sleep health, and physical function in overweight and obese older adults before and after a six-month weight loss intervention using a randomized controlled design. The results of this study have the potential to provide valuable insights into the role of peanuts as a sources of fatty acids in promoting health and preventing disease in at-risk adults.

Specific Aims

1. To determine whether consuming peanuts daily compared to a control group (no nuts) during lifestyle intervention has a differential effect on bone mineral density in older adults who are overweight or obese.

2. To determine the temporal change in bone turnover biomarkers and bone regulating hormones during weight loss in the diet in older adults with overweight or obesity. Exploratory outcomes will examine metabolic biomarkers (serum glucose, insulin, lipid levels), and other markers of brain and sleep health and physical function.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
44
Inclusion Criteria
  • Men and postmenopausal women (>2 years since last menses), ages 50-75 years
  • Body mass index (25-42 kg/m2) or evidence of pre-clinical obesity.
  • Agree to be randomly assigned to consume a daily peanut snack or nut-free snack for 24 weeks
  • Must attend on-site visits (about 10) in New Brunswick, NJ, USA (transportation/reimbursement for travel not included)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Peanut allergies or intolerances
  • Participants with >5% weight loss in the past 6 months or extreme dietary/physical activity habits
  • An inability to follow the experimental intervention or to perform the required specimen collections.
  • Individuals with significant psychiatric or food disorders.
  • Current diagnosis, or history of cancer in past 3 years.
  • Current diagnosis or history of bone diseases, type I or II diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, hyperparathyroidism, untreated thyroid disease, significant immune, hepatic, cardiac, or renal disease.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension or hyperlipidemia in abnormal ranges.
  • History of surgery in the past 6 months or surgical procedure for weight loss in the past 3 years.
  • Regular use of medications that affect bone metabolism, including bisphosphonates or hormone replacement.
  • Regular use of medications for that affect the gastrointestinal tract including incretin mimetics, cholecystitis, urinary tract infection, severe organic diseases including coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, infectious diseases including pulmonary tuberculosis and AIDS.
  • Antibiotic use in the past month
  • Alcohol or illicit drug abuse
  • Any other condition deemed by the Research Physician that would prevent participation in the study, e.g. participation in another clinical research project that may interfere with the results of this study.
  • Participation in another clinical interventional research trial

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Bone Mineral Density (BMD - hip)Change from baseline to 24 weeks

dual energy x-ray absorptiometry; g/cm2

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Inflammatory MarkersChange from baseline to 24 weeks

Serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)

Lipid panelChange in baseline and 24 weeks

serum LDL, HDL, triglycerides (mg/dL)

CognitionChange from baseline to 24 weeks

Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)

Quality of SleepChange from baseline and 24 weeks

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores (0-21; higher global score is worse)

Serum bone turnoverChange from baseline to 24 weeks

Serum levels (ng/mL) of carboxyterminal crosslinking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type-I aminoterminal propeptide (PINP), and osteocalcin

Soft tissue (lean and fat mass)Change from baseline to 24 weeks

dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (kg)

Areal BMDChange from baseline to 24 weeks

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry: lumbar spine, femoral neck, radius, total body, g/cm2

Weight lossChange from baseline to 24 weeks

Body weight in kg

Trabecular BMDChange from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantified computed tomography, g/cm3

Trabecular separationChange from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantitative computed tomography, mm

Trabecular bone volume / tissue volumeChange from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantitative computed tomography, BV/TV (%)

Cortical and total (volumetric BMD)change from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantitative computed tomography, g/cm3

Cortical (thickness)change from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantitative computed tomography, mm

Cortical (porosity)change from baseline to 24 weeks

peripheral quantitative computed tomography, %

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rutgers University - NJ Inst Food Nutrition & Health

🇺🇸

New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States

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