Higher protein diet and exercise for postmenopausal women's wellbeing

PRO-WELL: Protein and Exercise for Postmenopausal Women's Wellbeing

Not applicable Interventional University of Arkansas, Fayetteville · NCT06849817

This study is testing if a higher protein diet with daily beef and resistance exercise can improve mood, sleep, and overall health in postmenopausal women.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Arkansas, Fayetteville Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Fayetteville, Arkansas and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06849817 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to determine if a higher protein diet, including one serving of beef daily, combined with resistance exercise, can enhance wellbeing in postmenopausal women. Participants will be divided into three groups: those maintaining their usual lifestyle, those following a higher protein diet, and those on a higher protein diet with resistance training. The study will assess improvements in mood, sleep, body composition, and health-related blood values over a 16-week period. The goal is to identify the health benefits associated with dietary and exercise interventions in this population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal women aged 50 and older who engage in regular physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients with dietary restrictions, food allergies, or certain health conditions that prevent higher protein intake may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved mood and sleep quality for postmenopausal women through dietary and exercise modifications.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with dietary and exercise interventions in similar populations, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Postmenopausal women aged 50 years and older (at least 12 months since last menstrual cycle)
* Participant in physical activity (e.g., 2-4 bouts of physical activity per week (i.e., activities such as brisk walking, yoga, hiking, cycling, gardening, etc.)) -Participants taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT; at least 6 months on HRT), statins, and antihypertensive medications will be allowed to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Food allergies
* Dietary restrictions (e.g., vegan, vegetarian, lactose intolerance, etc.)
* Diet-related conditions that would prevent them from consuming a higher protein dietary intake (e.g., impaired liver function, kidney disease)
* Participants consuming more than 0.8 g protein/kg/body weight per day (determined by 24-hour dietary recall)
* Underweight (BMI \< 18.5)
* Taking nutritional supplements
* Currently smoking or vaping
* Use marijuana
* Drink more than 4 alcoholic beverages a week
* Take medications that may interfere with the primary outcomes of the dietary intervention (e.g., antidepressants, sleep medication, etc.)
* Sleep apnea
* Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score \>5 via or sleep \> 7 hours a night
* Pre-existing health conditions (e.g., diabetes (type I or II), cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis) or conditions that would prevent them from fully participating in all aspects of the study.

Where this trial is running

Fayetteville, Arkansas and 1 other locations

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 PostmenopausalProteinMoodSleepWellbeingBody compositionAmino acids
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.