The Tryptophan Requirement in Healthy Adults

Launched by THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN · Feb 21, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how much of the essential amino acid tryptophan older adults need in their diet. Tryptophan is important because it helps the body make proteins and is also a building block for substances like serotonin, which affects mood. As we age, our bodies may require different amounts of nutrients, and current recommendations for tryptophan are based mainly on younger adults. By understanding the needs of older adults, this study aims to provide better dietary guidelines for healthy aging.

To participate in this trial, you need to be between 60 and 90 years old and in good health, meaning you don’t have any chronic illnesses that affect protein metabolism and have a healthy body weight (BMI under 30). If you choose to join, you'll be asked to provide consent and may have some blood tests done to ensure you're a good fit for the study. Participants will help researchers learn more about dietary needs for older adults, which could lead to improved health recommendations in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Consent provided.
• • Aged 60 to 90 years old.
• • In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical health and blood draw.
• • Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, creatinine.
• • Willingness to participate in the study.
• • BMI \<30 kg/m2.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Presence of chronic disease and/or acute illness known to affect protein/amino acid metabolism (e.g. HIV, diabetes, taking medications known to affect protein/AA metabolism (e.g. steroids).
• • Inability to tolerate the diet (i.e. allergy).
• • Significant weight loss during the past month or consumption of weight reducing diets.
• • Significant caffeine consumption (\>2 cups per day).
• • Significant consumption of alcohol (\>1 drink per day i.e. 1 beer or ½ glass of wine).
• • Unwilling to have blood drawn from a venous access or using a ventilated hood indirect calorimeter for the purposes of the study.