Optimized Tailored Interventions in Metabolic and Lifestyle Outcomes (OPTIMAL)
Studying How Diet Affects Thinking and Heart Health
Brief description of study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if increasing adherence to a Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet pattern improves brain and heart health relative to a healthy control diet in middle-aged adults. Our research team will evaluate three different groups: the first group will be chosen using a predictive analytics model that predicts who will benefit most from the MIND diet, the second group will follow the MIND diet without being pre-selected, and the third group will eat a standard healthy diet to serve as a comparison.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the MIND diet improve cognitive performance and heart health relative to a control diet? How does the health impact of the MIND diet in participants pre-identified through predictive analytics compare to those without such pre-selection? Which of the three groups - predictive analytics selected MIND diet group, standard MIND diet group, or healthy control - demonstrate the most significant improvements in cognitive and cardiovascular health over the course of the trial?
Participants will:
Consume one meal that follows the MIND diet or a control meal every day for 3 months. Visit the lab before and after the 3 months of meals for tests. Keep a record of the food they eat during the study.
Detailed description of study
The purpose of this study is to understand how a healthy diet is related to thinking ability and heart health. Participants will be asked to consume a microwaveable study meal or prepackaged smoothie every day for 12 weeks. These meals will be delivered to participant homes using Daily Harvest meal delivery service. The study meals and smoothies will follow either a dietary pattern thought to improve brain and heart health (MIND), or a control diet, and will include foods commonly found in grocery stores. Participants will not know which diet they are assigned to (active or control). Participants will also be asked to follow simple dietary guidance on a healthy diet in addition to the meals provided. Participants will complete a series of online forms or surveys. Additionally, participants will come to 4 in-person laboratory visits to complete several computer-based tests of memory and attention while wearing an EEG cap. Participants will also be asked to complete an eye test, a heart rate and blood pressure assessment, a bone and body scan called DXA, and a blood draw at the beginning of the study and again at the end of the 12-week diet period.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Cognitive Change, Diet, Healthy, Metabolic Syndrome, Protection Against
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Age: 45 years - 64 years
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Gender: All
Inclusion Criteria:
- 45-64 years of age
- 20/20 or corrected vision
- No food allergies or intolerances
- Not pregnant, lactating, or have given birth in the past 12 months
- Do not smoke, use tobacco, or abuse drugs
- Absence of liver or gastrointestinal diseases (i.e., primary biliary cirrhosis or gallbladder disease, chronic constipation, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers), hepatitis, HIV, and cancer
- Not currently taking oral hypoglycemic agents, or insulin
- No history of malabsorptive or bariatric surgery
- Cognitively intact with no prior diagnosis of neurological disease (i.e., mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and/or Asperger's syndrome)
- Able to consume the study meals
- Not enrolled in another dietary, exercise, or medication study during the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Non-consent of participant
- Above 64 or below 45 years of age
- Vision not 20/20 or corrected
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Pregnant, lactating, or have given birth in the past 12 months
- Smoke, use tobacco, or abuse drugs
- Prior diagnosis of liver or gastrointestinal disease (i.e., primary biliary cirrhosis or gallbladder disease, chronic constipation, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, stomach or duodenal ulcers), hepatitis, HIV, or cancer
- Currently taking oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin
- History of malabsorptive or bariatric surgery
- Cognitively impaired and/or prior diagnosis of neurological disease (i.e., mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and/or Asperger's syndrome)
- Unable to consume the study meals
- Concurrent enrollment in another dietary, exercise, or medication study
This study investigates the relationship between a healthy diet, thinking ability, and heart health. Participants will consume either a microwaveable study meal or a prepackaged smoothie every day for 12 weeks. These meals, delivered by a meal service, follow dietary patterns that are thought to improve brain and heart health, known as the MIND diet, or a control diet. The MIND diet includes foods commonly found in grocery stores and is believed to benefit cognitive and cardiovascular health.
Participants will attend four in-person laboratory visits to complete several computer-based tests of memory and attention while wearing an EEG cap, which measures brain activity. They will also complete an eye test, heart rate and blood pressure assessments, a bone and body scan called DXA, and a blood draw at the beginning and end of the study. Additionally, participants will fill out online forms or surveys to provide more information about their health and dietary habits.
- Who can participate: Adults aged 45 to 64 years with normal or corrected vision, no food allergies, and no recent pregnancy or certain medical conditions can participate.
- Study details: Participants will consume meals that follow either the MIND diet or a control diet, without knowing which one they are assigned to. They will follow dietary guidance and complete health assessments and cognitive tests.
- Study Timelines and Visits: The study will last 12 weeks. The study requires 4 visits.
