Currently there are insufficient published studies on amino acid requirements in the elderly. Phenylalanine is one of the indispensable amino acids. Low levels of phenylalanine has been observed in in the blood of older adults. It is due the increased uptake by the liver and intestine. This decreased levels of phenylalanine could lead to decreased skeletal muscle protein synthesis. Requirement for elderly individuals have been set based on studies conducted in younger adults hence may be inaccurate. The goal of this study is to directly measure the phenylalanine requirement of male and female elderly subjects over 65 years using the direct amino acid oxidation (DAAO) technique.
1. To determine and compare the phenylalanine requirement of healthy elderly male and female adults over the age of 65 years using the DAAO technique (by measuring the oxidation of L-\[1-13 C\] phenylalanine to 13 CO 2 \[F 13 CO 2\] ) in response to graded intakes of phenylalanine. 2. To compare the requirement so derived to that of young healthy adult previously determined in our lab.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Phenylalanine will be provided as graded intakes ranging from 7-40 mg/kg/day
The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Phenylalanine Requirement
To determine phenylalanine requirement by measuring the oxidation of 13CO2 in breath in response to graded phenylalanine intakes
Time frame: Baseline
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