Actively Recruiting
Assessing the Influence of Habitual Beef Intake on Key Molecular Markers of Brain Health
Led by South Dakota State University · Updated on 2026-06-03
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
47 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating whether eating lean beef every day can support brain health and healthy aging in adults aged 65 years and older. The study focuses on understanding how lean beef, rich in essential nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and creatine, affects biological markers related to memory, nerve protection, and brain aging. This trial aims to explore the direct molecular impact of a beef-rich diet on brain health in generally healthy older adults. Participants will take part in a randomized, controlled, crossover feeding trial involving two dietary phases, each lasting 14 days. In one phase, they will consume 156 grams (5.5 ounces) of provided lean beef daily, while in the other phase, they will consume an iso-caloric, protein-matched non-beef control food made from cottage cheese and whey protein. A two-week washout period separates these phases to prevent overlapping effects. Participants will maintain their usual diet and physical activity habits but will replace part of their daily protein intake with the study foods. Throughout the study, researchers will collect blood, urine, stool, and saliva samples at the start and end of each dietary phase to analyze key biomarkers including plasma phosphorylated tau-217, amyloid-beta 42/40 ratio, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. They will also assess changes in the plasma lipidome and gut microbiome. Clinical visits will include vital signs, anthropometric measurements, and dietary records to monitor adherence. The study will measure changes in brain health markers to understand the biological effects of lean beef consumption over a total period of about 10 weeks including both phases and washout.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Assessing the Influence of Habitual Beef Intake on Key Molecular Markers of Brain Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adults aged 65 years and older
- Generally healthy with no acute illnesses
- Fluent in English
- Willing to consume lean beef and dairy products daily during intervention phases
- Willing to maintain current diet, physical activity, and body weight throughout the study
- Willing to fast for 12 hours before clinical visits and provide blood, urine, stool, and saliva samples
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or severe cognitive disorders
- History of gastrointestinal diseases or major gastrointestinal surgery
- Uncontrolled diabetes, severe liver or kidney disease, or recent cardiovascular event within 6 months
- Allergies or severe intolerance to beef or dairy, or strict vegetarian/vegan diet
- Body weight fluctuation greater than 5% within past 3 months
- Use of systemic antibiotics within 2 months before baseline
- Current heavy smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 14 days
Participants consume 156 grams (5.5 ounces) of provided lean beef daily for 14 days while maintaining their habitual diet, replacing a portion of their daily protein intake with the study-provided lean beef.
2 visits (baseline and end of intervention)
Duration - 14 days
Participants resume their habitual diet without study-provided foods to eliminate carryover effects before starting the next dietary phase.
No study visits during this period
Duration - 14 days
Participants consume an iso-caloric, protein-matched non-beef control daily for 14 days while maintaining their habitual diet, replacing a portion of their daily protein intake with the study-provided control food.
2 visits (baseline and end of intervention)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota, United States, 57007
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Samitinjaya Dhakal, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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