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

The Effectiveness of a Diet With Beef as Key Protein Component Versus a Plant-Based Diet to Support Integrated Muscle Protein Synthesis Rates in Healthy Older Individuals

This test will see if a diet using beef as the main protein or a plant-based diet better boosts muscle protein building in healthy adults aged 65 to 85.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Maastricht, Limburg)
• Trial ID: NCT07049224 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy men and women aged 65–85 with a BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2 who are willing to consume meat during the study and have no major medical conditions or conflicting medications.

Not a fit: People who refuse to eat meat, have food allergies, active smokers, recent participants in structured progressive exercise programs, those with major medical conditions, or those outside the specified age/BMI ranges are unlikely to qualify or receive benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could clarify whether choosing beef-based or plant-based protein helps older adults preserve or build muscle more effectively.

How similar studies have performed: Previous single-meal studies suggest animal proteins can stimulate muscle protein synthesis more than plant proteins, but prolonged diet comparisons like this are novel and less tested.

Eligibility criteria

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 this trial is running

Maastricht, Limburg

• Maastricht University Medical Centre+ — Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Philippe Pinckaers, PhD

Conditions Muscle Protein Synthetic Response to Protein