Time-restricted Eating (TRE) and Protein in Older Adults

University of Surrey80 enrolled

Overview

The aim this study is to investigate the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) on body composition, muscle function and markers of metabolic health of adults over 60 years old. This study will compare different variations of TRE - with and without an additional protein. This study involves attending two study days at the University of Surrey for baseline and end-of-intervention measurement of body composition using a gold-standard dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan; muscle function using hand grip strength and 30-second sit-to-stand tests; weight. A blood sample will be taken at each study visit to measure markers of lipid and glucose control, and insulin sensitivity. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of four study groups: * control group: maintain habitual dietary patterns * TRE group: fast for 16 hours overnight, eat between 12-8pm * TRE + Protein (AM): fast for 16 hours overnight, eat between 12-8pm; take a 30g plant-based protein supplement in the morning * TRE + Protein (PM): fast for 16 hours overnight, eat between 12-8pm; take a 30g plant-based protein supplement in the afternoon Participants will be asked to follow the intervention according to their allocated group for 8 weeks.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Generally Healthy Adults Over 60 Years Old

TREOTHER

ProtAM TREOTHER

* Participants will be asked to follow a 16:8 TRE protocol, consuming all their daily within 8 hours, between 12 and 8pm, and fast for 16 hours overnight. * Outside of the eating window, participants will be allowed to consume energy-free drinks only, i.e. water, black tea/coffee, 0-calorie soft drinks. * In addition, they will be asked to consume a protein drink containing 30g protein in the morning, 2 hours before the 8-hour eating window opens at 12pm (i.e. at 10am).

ProtPM TREOTHER

* Participants will be asked to follow a 16:8 TRE protocol, consuming all their daily within 8 hours, between 12 and 8pm, and fast for 16 hours overnight. * Outside of the eating window, participants will be allowed to consume energy-free drinks only, i.e. water, black tea/coffee, 0-calorie soft drinks. * In addition, they will be asked to consume a protein drink containing 30g protein in the afternoon, either 2 hours after their first meal or 2 hours before their last meal of the day.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Gender: male and female * Age range: 60 years or older * Fasting for 12 or less hours on a daily basis * BMI range: 23-30 kg/m2 * Weight stability: no more than 3kg weight gain or loss in the past 3 months * Regular eating pattern, i.e. 3 meals a day * Able to prepare the protein supplement Exclusion Criteria: * Any of the following present (in line with exclusion criteria used in previous TRE research in older adults): * known renal impairment * heart attack or stroke in the past three months * continuous use of supplemental oxygen to manage a chronic pulmonary condition or heart failure * rheumatoid arthritis * Parkinson's disease * active treatment for cancer in the past year * insulin dependent diabetes mellitus * taking medications that preclude fasting for 16 h * actively trying or planning to lose weight * history of an eating disorder * outside of stated age or BMI range * fasting for longer than 12 hours on a daily basis * unable to prepare the protein supplement * extreme morning/evening chronotype * sleep disorders * regular meal skipping * history of difficulty having a blood sample taken * Recent exposure to high-dose radiation * Vigorous exercise on more than 3 occasions a week

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from baseline in body composition at 2 months using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Measured using whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) In addition to the above, body composition will also be assessed using Tanita Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Fat free and fat mass will be reported in kg.

Time frame: For 8 weeks of the assigned study intervention

Change from baseline in muscle function at 2 months

Measured using grip strength