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Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Immune Function in the Elderly

NCT00858728 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 83

Last updated 2021-12-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The immune system undergoes a range of changes as individuals become elderly. These may manifest as an increasing susceptibility to infection or a tendency to develop autoimmune or malignant disease. Multiple underlying factors contribute to this phenomenon of immunological aging, and in this study the investigators will examine the possibility that inadequate diet may be one such contributing factor. Fruit and vegetable intake, which can be low in the elderly, is associated with reduced chronic disease risk. This proposal will test the hypothesis that increased fruit and vegetable intake may positively affect clinically relevant measures of immune function. One hundred healthy volunteers aged 65-85 years following a low fruit and vegetable diet (\<=2 portions/d) will be recruited and randomised to continue following their normal diet, or to consume at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables daily for 16 weeks. Immune function and biochemical markers of nutritional status will be assessed before and after the intervention period.

Conditions

  • Immune Function

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

5 portions

Subjects randomised to the intervention group will be provided with a selection of fruit and vegetables once a week (from a local supermarket) and will be asked to consume 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. For the purposes of this study, a portion will be as defined by the Food Standards Agency, i.e. an 80 g serving (one apple, orange or banana, or 3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables).

BEHAVIORAL

2 portions

Subjects randomised to the control group will be provided with a selection of fruit and vegetables once a week (from a local supermarket) and will be asked to consume 2 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. For the purposes of this study, a portion will be as defined by the Food Standards Agency, i.e. an 80 g serving (one apple, orange or banana, or 3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables).

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Queen's University, Belfast

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Jayne V Woodside, PhD · Queen's University, Belfast

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
65 Years
Max Age
85 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2006-10-31
Primary Completion
2008-12-31
Completion
2009-09-30

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00858728 on ClinicalTrials.gov