Vegetarian diet and weights: a recipe for healthy ageing?
NCT ID NCT06172725
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether a high-protein vegetarian diet, combined with resistance training, can help older adults maintain muscle mass. 110 healthy participants aged 55+ followed either a vegetarian or omnivorous high-protein diet for 12 weeks, all doing the same exercise program. Researchers measured changes in protein intake and lean muscle mass to see if the plant-based approach works as well as the meat-based one.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- high-protein vegetarian diet and resistance exercise program
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that a plant-based diet combined with exercise is a practical way for older adults to preserve muscle mass and stay active.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study comparing two diets, not a treatment for a disease. Results may not apply to everyone, and the plant-based diet might not match the protein quality of an omnivorous diet.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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110 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2024
- Finished
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Jun 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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55 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 55 years or older * BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2 * Living independently * Ability and willingness to comply with the protocol * Written an informed consent * Consent of the study physician Exclusion Criteria: * Alcohol abuse (more than 14 glasses per week (women) or more than 21 glasses per week (men)) or drug abuse in the opinion of the study physician (CBS et al., 2017) * Inability to understand the Dutch language * Cognitive impairment (MMSE more than 25) * Diagnosed chronic disease that may interfere with protocol (e.g., cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, known renal diseases (eGFR more than 60 mL/min), and/or diabetes) * Underwent bariatric surgery * Current enrolment in an exercise program or other intervention study * Planned a holiday during the intervention period and is unable to attend training sessions for more than 1 week
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Amsterdam, North Holland, 1067 SM, Netherlands
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