Plant-based Diets and Healthy Aging
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age40+
SponsorNational Health Research Institutes, Taiwan
About this trial
This prospective study investigates the health effects of vegetarian and plant-based diets in middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan, specifically, recruiting 5000 Tzu Chi volunteers. Previous Tzu Chi cohorts found vegetarian diets were protectively associated with incidences of diabetes, stroke, gout, cataracts, insomnia, and gallstones, while reducing healthcare costs. The study also aims to clarify dietary patterns-particularly plant-based and vegetarian diets-and determine how potential deficiencies or excesses of various nutrients influence common aging-related health issues, including healthy cognitive decline, sarcopenia, and the risk of age-related diseases, in order to inform dietary and lifestyle recommendations that promote healthy aging and maintain physical function.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age 40 years or older.
Volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation.
Participating in the 2-day comprehensive health examination program.
Disqualifiers
Pregnant individual.
Diagnosed with dementia or poor cognition resulting in inability to answer questionnaires.
Trial population
Middle-aged and older adults (≥40 years) who are volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation or their relatives and friends, participating in the 2-day comprehensive health examination program in Taiwan.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
No trial groups listed
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Cognitive Function
Cognitive function will be assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MoCA\], Taiwanese version. (Score range 0-30, unit = points). A score ≥26 is generally considered normal, while scores \<26 suggest possible cognitive impairment. Outcomes will be reported both as continuous MoCA scores and as a binary classification (normal vs. impaired).
Time frame
From enrollment to three-year follow-up, six-year follow up2
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass
Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) will be assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIA), with height-adjusted cutoffs of \<7.0 kg/m² in men and \<5.7 kg/m² in women defined as low ASM. Results will be reported as both continuous measures (kg/m²) and categorical measures (normal or low ASM).
Time frame
From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-up3
Grip strength
Grip strength will be assessed using a handheld dynamometer, with cutoffs defined as \<28 kg for men and \<18 kg for women. Results will be reported as continuous measures (kg).
Time frame
From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-up4
Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia will be defined as the combined presence of low ASM and low grip strength. Results will be reported as a binary outcome (yes/no).
Time frame
From baseline to three-year follow-up, six-year follow-upSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov