Dietary inflammation, gut microbiome, and muscle loss in older adults

Exploring the Relationship of Diets Inflammatory, Gut Microbiota, and Sarcopenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Observational LanZhou University · NCT07211321

This project will test whether inflammatory features of people's diets are linked to changes in gut bacteria and to muscle loss in community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1220 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLanZhou University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lanzhou, Gansu)
Trial IDNCT07211321 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This cross-sectional observational project will recruit community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older in Lanzhou and collect dietary information, stool samples for gut microbiota sequencing, and muscle function measures including bioelectrical impedance analysis, gait speed, and handgrip strength. Researchers will calculate a dietary inflammatory index from reported intake and characterize gut microbial diversity and composition using sequencing-based methods. They will analyze associations between dietary inflammatory potential, microbial profiles, and sarcopenia status and test whether gut microbiota features mediate the link between diet-driven inflammation and muscle loss. Participants with pacemakers, severe mobility or cognitive impairment, chronic diseases that limit dietary intake, or medications affecting muscle function will be excluded to ensure reliable measurements.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 60 or older who have lived in the community for more than five years and can complete gait, handgrip, and BIA testing and are not taking medications that affect muscle function.

Not a fit: People with severe mobility or cognitive impairment, cardiac pacemakers, chronic conditions that limit dietary intake, or those taking medications that affect muscle function are unlikely to participate or receive direct benefit from this observational study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could identify dietary or microbiome targets to help prevent or slow age-related muscle loss.

How similar studies have performed: There is growing evidence linking diet-driven inflammation and the gut microbiota to muscle health, but demonstration of specific microbial mediators of sarcopenia remains an emerging and not-yet-established area.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Permanent residents of the community aged 60 years or older.
* Continuous residence duration in the community for more than 5 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Taking medications known to affect muscle function (e.g., corticosteroids, protein supplements, muscle enhancers).
* Requiring walking assistance or having severe cognitive impairment that would preclude successful completion of assessments including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), gait speed measurement, and handgrip strength testing.
* Presence of a cardiac pacemaker, which contraindicates BIA measurement.
* Diagnosis of one or more chronic diseases that significantly limit dietary intake.

Where this trial is running

Lanzhou, Gansu

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sarcopenia
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.