Actively Recruiting
The Tryptophan Requirement in Healthy Adults
Led by The Hospital for Sick Children · Updated on 2025-05-30
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
78 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
T
The Hospital for Sick Children
Lead Sponsor
C
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The aging population is growing rapidly. For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumbered young adults in 2016. Aging is associated with many physical and metabolic deteriorations including the loss of muscle mass and strength, insulin resistance, increased inflammation and oxidative stress. The muscles of our bodies are composed of proteins and proteins are made of small building blocks called amino acids. Our bodies have the ability to make some amino acids which are called the non-essential amino acids. However, there are certain amino acids that our body's need to make protein but can only be supplied from the foods that we consume. These are called essential amino acids. Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids that the body needs. Tryptophan is required for protein synthesis and acts as a precursor for serotonin and nicotinic acid. Therefore, there may be a need for more threonine in the diet of older adults. However, the current requirement for threonine is based on studies conducted exclusively in young adults. Thus, the purpose of this study is to find out how much tryptophan older adults need.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Tryptophan Requirement in Healthy Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Consent provided
- Aged 60 to 90 years old
- In good general health based on medical history, physical exam, and blood tests
- Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, and creatinine within acceptable ranges
- Willingness to participate in the study
- Body mass index (BMI) less than 30 kg/m2
You will not qualify if you...
- Chronic or acute illness affecting protein or amino acid metabolism (e.g., HIV, diabetes)
- Taking medications known to affect protein or amino acid metabolism (e.g., steroids)
- Inability to tolerate the study diet due to allergies
- Significant weight loss in the past month or current weight loss diets
- High caffeine intake (more than 2 cups per day)
- High alcohol consumption (more than 1 drink per day)
- Unwillingness to have blood drawn or use of ventilation hood indirect calorimeter during the study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X8
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Z
Zhiyao Wang, MSc
CONTACT
M
Mahroukh Rafii, BSc
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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