Supporting immune and mitochondrial health in older adults with targeted nutrition

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

Participants aged 75 and older entering a rehabilitation program with malnutrition (MNA-SF <11) will receive standard nutritional care plus a daily oral supplement for 6 weeks. For blinding, all participants take one sachet and two capsules daily; the active group receives BCAA, a micronutrient blend, and omega‑3 capsules, while the placebo group receives maltodextrin and coconut oil. Muscle mass (BIA), handgrip strength, and SPPB performance will be measured, and biological samples will be collected to examine mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and immune markers. The intervention is intended to restore protein and micronutrient deficits and test whether that improves clinical and biological outcomes linked to inflammaging and sarcopenia.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥75 years
* Patients entering a rehabilitation program
* Diagnosis of malnutrition defined by a MNA-SF (mini-nutritional assessment short form) score below 11 points.
* Commitment to accept the nutritional supplement proposed, willing and able to give written informed consent
* Ability to understand and comply with the requirements of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of malignancy,
* Life expectancy of less than two months calculated by Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI ),
* Congestive heart failure (NYHA IV),
* Chronic renal disease (creatinine clearance \<40 ml/min calculated by cockroft),
* Liver cirrhosis (Child B-C),
* Tube/percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding or parenteral nutrition,
* Severe dysphagia,
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)≤18 and MNA\>11 points. MMSE ≥ 18 identifies patients with mild form of cognitive impairment; those patients generally do not have problems in swallowing and are able to take drugs.
* Severe anaemia (Hb\<10 g/l) or leukopenia (\<2G/l).

Where it's running

• Chuv
  Lausanne, Switzerland, Switzerland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Patrizia D'amelio — Service de gériatrie et réadaptation gériatrique-CHUV
• Study coordinator: Patrizia D'amelio
• Email: patrizia.damelio@chuv.ch
• Phone: +41213143712

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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.