Aging
Conditions
Brief summary
The proportion of older individuals is growing, and it is therefore important to investigate ways to promote healthy aging. Exercise is one of the most studied interventions and is known to have a variety of health benefits. Dietary interventions have also shown encouraging results, with intermittent fasting being a promising anti-aging intervention. Likewise, dietary supplementation with precursors that can increase the central metabolite nicotinamide dinucleotide (NAD+) has powerful effects on aging at least in model organisms. Although physical exercise is known to increase health-span, the effects of these latter dietary interventions on aging lacks evidence in humans. This is a randomized, controlled trial of interventions to slow aging in humans. Healthy older individuals will be randomized into either an aerobic exercise (EXE), time-restricted feeding (TRF), nicotinamide riboside (NR), or control group and followed for twelve weeks. Changes in biomarkers of aging will be assessed before and after the intervention. It is hypothesized that the interventions provide similar, superior benefits to these markers when compared to placebo. Primary Outcome: Interleukin-6 levels. Secondary Outcomes: CRP, TNF-α, NAD+, hematologic age, epigenetic age (DNA methylation), transcriptomic age (RNA-sequencing), functional age (handgrip strength, gait speed), body composition, vocal age, and photo age
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExercise
Participants randomized to the EXE group will perform aerobic exercise five days per week, totaling 150-300 min/week, at moderate to vigorous intensities i.e., \ 60-90% heart rate (HR) max. Participants randomized to the EXE group will perform aerobic exercise five days per week, totaling 150-300 min/week, at moderate to vigorous intensities i.e., \ 60-90% heart rate (HR) max. Exercise intensity and duration will gradually increase up until week 3 to habituate the participants to the exercise. The training modality will change to reduce the risk of injuries and may be impacted by individual preferences to increase adherence. The training can be performed individually or in groups of 4-6 participants, depending on the geographical locations of the participants home address, and on the current recruitment rate.
BEHAVIORALTime restricted feeding
Participants randomized to the time restricted feeding group will be instructed to abstain from any caloric intake during the targeted fasting window of 16 continuous hours and consume ad libitum during the eating window of 8 hours.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTNicotinamide riboside
Participants randomized to the NR group will be instructed to take the administered tablets once in the morning (1 g) and once in the evening (1 g), in both cases with a meal.
Sponsors
Elysium Health
University of Copenhagen
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Provision of signed and dated informed consent form 2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study 3. Aged ≥ 65 years 4. In good general health
Exclusion criteria
1. Inability or unwillingness to take oral supplements 2. Inability or unwillingness to adhere to the fasting regiment 3. Inability or unwillingness to perform the prescribed physical exercise 4. Current smoker or use of any nicotine products within 10 years 5. Chronic use of supplements containing vitamin B or nicotinamide riboside 6. Treatment with another investigational drug or other intervention within 1 year 7. Cancer diagnosis within last 5 years
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Interleukin-6 levels in plasma | Day 1 compared to day 84 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration of TNF-α in plasma | Day 1 compared to day 84 | — |
| Concentration of NAD in whole blood | Day 1 compared to day 84 | — |
| Change in fat mass | Day 1 compared to day 84 | Measured using bio-impedance |
| Change in lean mass | Day 1 compared to day 84 | Measured using bio-impedance |
| Grip strength | Day 1 compared to day 84 | — |
| Concentration of CRP in plasma | Day 1 compared to day 84 | — |
| Predicted age (DNA methylation) | Day 1 compared to day 84 | From PBMCs |
| Predicted age (Blood age) | Day 1 compared to day 84 | From 33 blood parameters |
| Predicted age (Transcriptomics) | Day 1 compared to day 84 | From RNA seq of PBMCs |
| Predicted age (voice) | Day 1 compared to day 84 | From voice recordings |
| Predicted age (photo) | Day 1 compared to day 84 | From a portrait photo |
| Gait speed | Day 1 compared to day 84 | Measured over 4 meters. |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed