The Foods & Oil to Repair, Correct and Enhance Strength (FORCES) Study

Launched by OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · Apr 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The FORCES Study is a clinical trial that aims to understand how consuming a specific type of oil, rich in linoleic acid, can help improve muscle strength, size, endurance, and mobility in older adults who may be experiencing muscle loss, a condition known as sarcopenia. Participants in the study will take either the linoleic acid-rich oil or a placebo (a non-active substance) daily for a period of time, and researchers will monitor changes in their muscle function.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be older adults, aged between 60 and 85, who currently do not meet their daily recommended intake of linoleic acid and may show signs of sarcopenia. However, there are some important health conditions that could disqualify someone from participating, such as certain gastrointestinal diseases, heart issues, severe kidney or liver diseases, and some neurological conditions. If you decide to participate, you can expect regular check-ins where your muscle strength and mobility will be assessed, helping researchers learn more about the potential benefits of this dietary oil for improving health in older adults.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Linoleic Acid Intake \<75% of the adequate intake
• • Probable sarcopenia
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Gastrointestinal diseases or disorders (including pancreatic and gastric bypass surgery) where consumption of the study foods would be contraindication or where the disease or disorder could negatively affect nutrient absorption and/or would prevent participants from tolerating the study foods
• • Hyperthyroidism diagnosis
• • Food Allergy or intolerances
• • Any dietary restriction where consumption of the study foods or any ingredient would be contraindicated
• • Unstable management of heart failure, heart disease events (including stroke or heart attack) within last 3 months prior to enrollment, a plan for heart surgeries or cardiac procedures
• • Current or previous diagnosis of severe kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, other liver diseases/infections that cause liver damage and some pulmonary diseases or severe/uncontrolled pulmonary diseases
• • Severe or uncontrolled rheumatologic or orthopedic diseases
• • Current diagnosis of or current treatment of cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer
• • Neuromuscular or neurological conditions or diseases or use of mobility assistance (wheelchair, walker etc..) that would impact movement needed to perform the muscle function tests or prevent completion of the muscle function tests
• • Use of mobility assistance (wheelchair, walker etc..) that would prevent completion of the muscle function tests
• • Current use of supplements or medications for weight loss or following a weight loss program
• • Use of supplements high in linoleic acid in the past 4 weeks prior to enrolling
• • Pregnancy and lactation
• • Alcohol or drug abuse
• • Allergy/intolerance to lidocaine or similar medication
• • Use of anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or other blood thinner medications
• • Terminal Illness
• • Any condition leading to muscle loss or weakness, impaired mobility or range of motion in legs (excluding normal aging)