NCT06283706 The Tryptophan Requirement in Healthy Adults
| NCT ID | NCT06283706 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | The Hospital for Sick Children |
| Condition | Healthy Aging |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 40 participants |
| Start Date | 2024-06-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2025-07-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 40 participants in total. It began in 2024-06-01 with a primary completion date of 2025-07-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The aging population is growing rapidly. For the first time ever, Canadian seniors outnumbered young adults in 2016. Aging is associated with many physical and metabolic deteriorations including the loss of muscle mass and strength, insulin resistance, increased inflammation and oxidative stress. The muscles of our bodies are composed of proteins and proteins are made of small building blocks called amino acids. Our bodies have the ability to make some amino acids which are called the non-essential amino acids. However, there are certain amino acids that our body's need to make protein but can only be supplied from the foods that we consume. These are called essential amino acids. Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids that the body needs. Tryptophan is required for protein synthesis and acts as a precursor for serotonin and nicotinic acid. Therefore, there may be a need for more threonine in the diet of older adults. However, the current requirement for threonine is based on studies conducted exclusively in young adults. Thus, the purpose of this study is to find out how much tryptophan older adults need.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Consent provided. * Aged 60 to 90 years old. * In good general health as evidenced by medical history, physical health and blood draw. * Fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), urea, creatinine. * Willingness to participate in the study. * BMI \<30 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of chronic disease and/or acute illness known to affect protein/amino acid metabolism (e.g. HIV, diabetes, taking medications known to affect protein/AA metabolism (e.g. steroids). * Inability to tolerate the diet (i.e. allergy). * Significant weight loss during the past month or consumption of weight reducing diets. * Significant caffeine consumption (\>2 cups per day). * Significant consumption of alcohol (\>1 drink per day i.e. 1 beer or ½ glass of wine). * Unwilling to have blood drawn from a venous access or using a ventilated hood indirect calorimeter for the purposes of the study.
Contact & Investigator
Glenda Courtney-Martin, PhD, RD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
The Hospital for Sick Children
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06283706 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 60 Years or older, up to 90 Years, studying Healthy Aging. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06283706 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06283706 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at zhiyao.wang@sickkids.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06283706 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Toronto, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06283706 clinical trial?
NCT06283706 is sponsored by The Hospital for Sick Children. The principal investigator is Glenda Courtney-Martin, PhD, RD at The Hospital for Sick Children. The trial plans to enroll 40 participants.