NCT01956994

The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Vascular and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

The Effect of Whey Protein Supplementation on Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 99 (actual)
• Sponsor: Syracuse University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 85 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The "hardening of the arteries" observed with aging raises blood pressure and contributes to poor brain blood flow and loss of cognitive function (i.e. attention, memory, solving problems, making decisions). Cognition is the most important determinant of overall health status, quality of life, functional ability and independence in older adulthood. Nutraceutical strategies have received considerable attention as they may improve cardiovascular health with far fewer side effects compared to drugs. In this regard, dairy products are particularly attractive. Higher dairy consumption is associated with lower blood pressure and improved memory in adults. Milk proteins have natural blood pressure lowering effects. Studies conducted in animals have demonstrated that whey protein (a component of milk protein) may also increase artery elasticity. This is important given the strong association between artery elasticity, brain blood flow, and risk for cognitive decline. The investigators propose to conduct a randomized double-blind placebo controlled study comparing the effects of whey protein supplementation or carbohydrate placebo on measures of artery elasticity, brain blood flow, and cognitive function in older adults. Whey protein may be a novel dietary therapy to improve both artery health and brain health in older adults.

Detailed description

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 50 g whey protein isolate or placebo each day for 12 weeks.

Conditions

• Blood Pressure

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Whey protein supplement	Supplements will be provided in powder form and mixed into beverages to be consumed twice per day (after breakfast and after dinner).
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Carbohydrate supplement	Supplements will be provided in powder form and mixed into beverages to be consumed twice per day (after breakfast and after dinner).

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-10-01
• Primary completion: 2016-12-01
• Completion: 2016-12-01
• First posted: 2013-10-08
• Last updated: 2017-10-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States