Vegan and Omnivorous Diets and Skeletal Muscle Turnover in Healthy Older Adults

The Effects of a High-quality Vegan Diet on Skeletal Muscle Maintenance and Adaptation in Comparison to a Protein-matched Omnivorous Diet in Healthy Older Adults.

Dietary protein intake and physical activity are key to minimise the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. While animal-derived protein sources are considered high-quality anabolic foods, it remains unclear whether non-animal-derived (vegan) protein sources support skeletal muscle maintenance and healthy ageing. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of a vegan diet on daily muscle protein synthesis rates compared to a protein-matched omnivorous diet where the majority of protein is derived from high-quality animal-based protein sources.

Background: The age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is (partly) explained by a blunted responsiveness of skeletal muscle to the anabolic properties of dietary protein and muscle contraction. Therefore, sufficient dietary protein intake and physical activity are required to minimise age-related muscle atrophy. It remains unknown whether this can be achieved utilising non-animal-derived (vegan) protein sources.

Objective: To assess daily muscle protein synthesis rates when adopting a vegan or protein-matched omnivorous control diet.

Methods: Healthy older adults (aged 60-80 years) will be randomly allocated to a completely controlled 1-week vegan (providing 0.8 g/kg BW/day protein) or protein-matched omnivorous diet. During this week, participants will perform a set of unilateral leg resistance exercise on day 1, 3, and 5. Deuterium oxide in combination with saliva and muscle sample (from the m. vastus lateralis) collection will be used to measure daily muscle protein synthesis rates in resting and exercised tissue.

Value: This will be the first study assessing daily muscle protein turnover in healthy older adults adopting a 1-week vegan diet. This will contribute to the understanding and viability of vegan protein to support active and healthy ageing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 18.5 - 30
• Active (not very sedentary and not master athlete; assessed via IPAQ)
• Women only: post menopause

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypertension (>150/90 mmHg)
• Any diagnosed metabolic impairment
• Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease
• Any diagnosed gastrointestinal disease
• Diagnosed cancer
• Any medication known to affect muscle metabolism (e.g. hormone replacement therapy)
• Severe food allergies or intolerances (e.g. celiac, lactose intolerance, allergic to fungi or algae foods)
• Smoking