AvoCog - The Effect of Daily Avocado Intake on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
University of Kansas Medical Center
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if adding avocados to the diet of impacts cognition in 70 older adults, age 65-85, without dementia. We will test for change in functional MRI, cognitive performance, and brain blood flow. Intervention group participants will be asked to consume 1 avocado per day for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group will be asked to continue their normal intake for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will be asked to perform cognitive tests, MRI, blood tests, and questionnaires.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65–85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females aged 65-85 years * Good general health with no concomitant disease * BMI 18.5 - 35 kg/m2 * Mini Mental State Exam ≥26 * Reports consuming ≤2 medium avocados per month * Reports consuming ≤3 servings of carotenoid-rich foods per week and ≤3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day * Skin carotenoid content \<400 Exclusion Criteria: * Unwilling or unable to consume avocado * Latex allergy * Consistently taking lutein + zeaxanthin supplements * Skin carotenoid content ≥400 * Central neurological disease such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,…
Interventions
- OtherAvocado Group
Participants will consume provided avocados daily and track consumption for the duration of the study. Participants will be adding avocados to their diet and will receive education on maintaining usual diet.
Location
- University of Kansas Medical CenterKansas City, Kansas