Beef-based versus plant-based protein diet for building muscle in older adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The study assigns healthy older adults to consume either a diet with beef as the key protein source or a plant-based diet over a prolonged feeding period while researchers monitor muscle protein synthesis. Meals are provided and intake is controlled so that protein amounts are comparable between groups. Muscle protein synthesis is measured using metabolic methods over the intervention to capture integrated responses rather than single-meal effects. The goal is to determine whether sustained consumption of animal versus plant proteins produces different rates of new muscle protein formation in this age group.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female sex
* Aged between 65 and 85 y inclusive
* BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2 inclusive

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not willing to consume meat/animal-based products during the study period
* Any food allergies (e.g. milk, gluten, etc.)
* Participating currently or in the 3 months prior to the study in a structured progressive exercise program.
* Smoking
* History of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urogenital, neurological, psychiatric, dermatologic, musculoskeletal, metabolic, endocrine, haematological, immunologic disorders, allergy, major surgery and/or laboratory assessments which might limit participation in or completion of the study protocol, interfere with the execution of the experiment, or potential influence the study outcomes (to be decided by the study team and responsible physician)
* Diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU)
* Donated full blood 3 months prior to test day
* Use of any medications that interferes with study participation and/or outcomes (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, gastric acid suppressing medication) as assessed by the study team and responsible medical doctor.
* Use of DOAC, vitamin-K-antagonist, or multiple anticoagulants
* Fasting blood glucose \>7 mmol/L

Where it's running

• Maastricht University Medical Centre+
  Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Philippe Pinckaers, PhD
• Email: philippe.pinckaers@maastrichtuniversity.nl
• Phone: +31 43 388 22 15

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• How different post-workout meals affect muscle protein building

  This trial tests whether eating potato plus beef, bread plus beef, or beef alone right after resistance exercise changes muscle protein building in healthy, recreationally active young adults.

  Recruiting University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign · Urbana, Illinois and 1 other locations · NCT07367854

• Higher versus standard protein by feeding tube to boost muscle protein synthesis in ICU patients

  This will test whether giving ventilated, critically ill adults more protein through a feeding tube (about 1.3 g/kg/day) helps their muscles make more protein over four days than standard protein (about 0.8 g/kg/day).

  Recruiting Maastricht University Medical Center · Hasselt, Limburg · NCT06714240

• Magnetic Brain Stimulation for Pain in Small Fiber Neuropathy

  This study tests whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can lessen pain in adults with idiopathic small fiber neuropathy.

  Recruiting Maastricht University Medical Center · Maastricht, Limburg · NCT07805057

• DRAGON: International registry for patients who had combined portal and hepatic vein embolization before liver surgery

  This registry collects data on patients who had PVE/HVE before liver resection to see if it helps liver regeneration and what factors relate to outcomes.

  Recruiting at 30 sites Maastricht University Medical Center · Chicago, Illinois and 30 other locations · NCT07717437

• Probiotic mix to see if it boosts fullness in adults who are overweight or have obesity

  A probiotic supplement is being tested in adults aged 20-70 who are overweight or have obesity to see if it makes them feel fuller and changes gut bacteria harder after 16 weeks, compared with a placebo.

  Recruiting Maastricht University Medical Center · Maastricht, Limburg · NCT07715955

• Wearable data to spot IBD flareups in people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

  This study tests whether heart‑rate variability from participants’ own wearables can help predict IBD flares.

  Recruiting at 2 sites Maastricht University Medical Center · 's-Hertogenbosch and 2 other locations · NCT07647640

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.