The main goal of this study is to determine the difference in amino acid digestibility of milk, sorghum and black beans between older (65-80 years) and younger (20-35 years) adults using the dual tracer method.
Older adults should meet their amino acid requirements to prevent development of sarcopenia. Dietary protein quality is of importance, as determined by amino acid composition and digestibility of the consumed protein. There is a need to investigate the impact of ageing on amino acid digestibility and thus quality in vivo. The dual tracer method is an indirect, minimal-invasive method to determine amino acid digestibility in humans. It is expected that amino acid digestibility decreases with age and that the effect between age groups is greater for poorly digestible protein sources. In this randomized, cross-over study, the researchers will determine the difference in amino acid digestibility of milk, sorghum and black beans between older (65-80 years) and younger (20-35 years) adults using the dual tracer method. Secondary objectives concern the difference in amino acid kinetics between older and younger adults and the association between gut health plasma markers and amino acid digestibility.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
Twenty grams of the deuterium (2H) - labelled skimmed milk powder mixed with water will be consumed on one of the three different test days. The meal will be divided in 10 portions, consumed every hour. The 2H-labelled protein source is mixed with free 13C-labelled amino acids as reference. Protein free cookies are served alongside to equal macronutrient composition with the other two protein sources.
Twenty grams of the deuterium (2H) - labelled whole grain sorghum cooked with water will be consumed on one of the three different test days. The meal will be divided in 10 portions, consumed every hour. The 2H-labelled protein source is mixed with free 13C-labelled amino acids as reference.
Twenty grams of the deuterium (2H) - labelled black beans cooked with water and mashed into a puree, will be consumed on one of the three different test days. The meal will be divided in 10 portions, consumed every hour. The 2H-labelled protein source is mixed with free 13C-labelled amino acids as reference. A carbohydrate drink is served alongside to equal macronutrient composition with the other two protein sources.
Wageningen University and Research
Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands
Amino acid digestibility of three different protein sources
Ratio between meal and plasma isotope enrichment in amino acids
Time frame: 1 measurement repeated on 3 test days for 3 protein sources respectively, separated by 2 weeks wash-out
Linear increase in plasma amino acids of three different protein sources
Amino acids in plasma are determined over time. First measure of kinetics is the linear increase or the slope of the curve.
Time frame: 11 blood samples during 8 hours, repeated on 3 test days for 3 protein sources respectively, separated by 2 weeks wash-out
Area under the curve for plasma amino acid concentration of three different protein sources
Amino acids in plasma are determined over time. Second measure of kinetics is the area under the curve.
Time frame: 11 blood samples during 8 hours, repeated on 3 test days for 3 protein sources respectively, separated by 2 weeks wash-out
Steady state plasma amino acid concentration of three different protein sources
Amino acids in plasma are determined over time. Third measure of kinetics is the steady state concentration or the plateau of the curve.
Time frame: 11 blood samples during 8 hours, repeated on 3 test days for 3 protein sources respectively, separated by 2 weeks wash-out
Plasma gut health markers of the participants in relation to age and amino acid digestibility
Four gut health markers in plasma will be measured: kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, citrulline, ornithine, I-FABP.
Time frame: 1 blood sample before consumption of the protein source, repeated on 3 test days for 3 protein sources respectively, separated by 2 weeks wash-out
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