Actively Recruiting
Effect of Vegetarien Diet on Protein Digestibility in Young and Elderly Volunteers
Led by Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement · Updated on 2026-04-09
48
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
62 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Plant proteins are usually less digestible than animal proteins, but they may benefit gut health through effects on the microbiome. The long-term impact of diets rich in plant products on protein digestion and metabolism is still unknown, especially in older adults with higher protein needs. This study aims to compare the digestion and use of pea proteins in young and older adults, both vegetarians and omnivores. Volunteers are divided into four groups: young omnivores, young vegetarians, older omnivores, and older vegetarians. They take part in two clinical investigation days. On the first day, nitrogen retention and protein metabolism is measured after consumption of a pea-based meal. On the second day, amino acid digestibility of pea is evaluated. These results will provide valuable data on how plant proteins are digested and metabolized depending on age and diet. They will also help determine whether aging reduces the availability of plant proteins. This knowledge is important to support nutritional strategies for populations with specific protein needs, such as older adults.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Effect of Vegetarien Diet on Protein Digestibility in Young and Elderly Volunteers
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Normal weight or overweight (BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m²)
- Male or female
- Aged 18-23 years (young groups) or 65-75 years (older groups)
- Following an omnivorous diet (meat intake more than 3 times/week and over 70% of protein from animal sources) or vegetarian diet (excluding meat and fish/seafood with over 70% of protein from plant sources)
- In good general health (WHO score of 0)
- Affiliated with a social security system
- Provided free and informed written consent after receiving required information
You will not qualify if you...
- Adults under legal protection or unable to give informed consent
- Any known food allergy
- Positive blood tests for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antibody, hepatitis C virus, or HIV
- Anemia with hemoglobin less than 13 g/dL in men or less than 12 g/dL in women
- Pregnant women or those who may be pregnant
- Excessive alcohol consumption (more than 2 drinks per day)
- Hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg) or significant arterial hypertension
- Diabetes (type 1 or 2) or fasting blood glucose above 1.25 g/L
- Clinically significant gastrointestinal diseases or recent acute gastroenteritis
- Significant liver disorders or elevated liver enzymes (ASAT/ALAT more than 2.5 times normal limit)
- High-level athletes training more than 8 hours per week
- Blood donation within 8 weeks before study start
- Lack of free, informed, written consent
- Not affiliated with a social security system
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre de Recherche sur Volontaire, Hopital Avicenne (AP-HP)
Bobigny, France
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Juliane Calvez, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
4
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here