Therapeutic Approaches to Nutrition in Ataxia-Telangiectasia: a Randomised Controlled Matched Cross-over Trial

Participants will be matched for age and randomised to Group A and Group B. All will be required to follow advice from the same dietitian during 2 x 12-week treatment periods: Treatment period 1 - Group A will receive i) standard nutritional advice (to meet individual energy/protein and recommended nutrient requirements including standard vitamin and mineral supplement) and Group B will receive ii) standard nutritional advice (to meet individual energy/protein and recommended nutrient requirements including standard vitamin and mineral supplement) PLUS therapeutic antioxidant-rich food-based advice (individuals provided with food-based ingredients and instructions for making into an anti-oxidant-rich drink). This will be followed by a 4-week washout period. Groups will then cross-over treatments. Treatment period 2 - Group A will receive ii) standard nutritional advice PLUS therapeutic antioxidant-rich food-based advice and Group A will receive i) standard nutritional advice. All participants will receive an initial 1 hour one-on-one session with the dietitian followed by weekly telephone calls from the dietitian allowing a half hour to answer questions and provide support.