Metabolic Health, Bones and Nuts Sources of Fatty Acids During Weight Loss in Adults
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Summary
The aging population is rapidly increasing, and it is important to identify dietary factors that can prevent disease and promote health in this group. Legumes, such as peanuts, are a plant-based food high in protein and unsaturated fat making this a healthy choice but are not consumed frequently enough in older adults. Studies have shown that regular nut consumption is associated with lower adiposity and reduced weight gain, and several dietary pattern studies indicate that nuts and legumes are associated with better bone health. In addition, our preliminary translational data indicates that a higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) intake is associated with improved bone mineral density (BMD) and quality. Given these findings, the proposed study aims to examine the impact of consuming peanut products on bone health, metabolic health (e.g., serum glucose, insulin, lipids and inflammation), markers of brain and sleep health, and physical function in overweight and obese older adults before and after a six-month weight loss intervention using a randomized controlled design. The results of this study have the potential to provide valuable insights into the role of peanuts as a sources of fatty acids in promoting health and preventing disease in at-risk adults.
Description
The aging population is rapidly increasing, and it is important to identify dietary factors that can prevent disease and promote health in this group. Legumes, such as peanuts, are a plant-based food high in protein and unsaturated fat making this a healthy choice but are not consumed frequently enough in older adults. Studies have shown that regular nut consumption is associated with lower adiposity and reduced weight gain, and several dietary pattern studies indicate that nuts and legumes are associated with better bone health. In addition, our preliminary translational data indicates that a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and postmenopausal women (\>2 years since last menses), ages 50-75 years * Body mass index (25-42 kg/m2) or evidence of pre-clinical obesity. * Agree to be randomly assigned to consume a daily peanut snack or nut-free snack for 24 weeks * Must attend on-site visits (about 10) in New Brunswick, NJ, USA (transportation/reimbursement for travel not included) Exclusion Criteria: * Peanut allergies or intolerances * Participants with \>5% weight loss in the past 6 months or extreme dietary/physical activity habits * An inability to follow the experimental intervention o…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementPeanut Snack Experimental
Subjects will receive a daily peanut snack and nutrition education-behavior modification instructions for weight loss
- Dietary SupplementNut-free Snack
Subjects will receive a daily peanut snack and nutrition education-behavior modification instructions for weight loss
Location
- Rutgers University - NJ Inst Food Nutrition & HealthNew Brunswick, New Jersey