NCT07623785Recruiting
Assessing the Influence of Habitual Beef Intake on Key Molecular Markers of Brain Health
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 3 Jun 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
his study investigates whether eating lean beef every day can help support brain health and healthy aging in older adults. As people age, protecting memory and cognitive function becomes increasingly important. Lean beef is a rich source of essential nutrients-such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and creatine-that are known to support brain function. However, the direct biological effects of a beef-rich diet on brain health markers are not fully understood. In this study, researchers will recruit 20 generally healthy older adults (aged 65 and older) to participate in a dietary feeding trial. Participants will complete two separate 2-week dietary phases. During one phase, participants will consume 5.5 ounces (156 grams) of provided lean beef daily. During the other phase, they will consume an iso-caloric, protein-matched, non-beef control food daily. A two-week "washout" period, where participants return to their normal diets, will separate the two phases to ensure there are no overlapping effects. Researchers will collect blood, urine, stool, and saliva samples at the beginning and end of each 2-week dietary phase. These samples will be analyzed to see if the lean beef diet improves specific biological markers in the blood related to memory, nerve protection, and overall brain aging. Ultimately, the findings from this study will help determine if incorporating lean beef into a regular diet can be a natural, food-based strategy to help preserve neurological health in older adults.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 20 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 28 May 2026
- Start date
- 3 Jun 2026
- Primary completion date
- 30 Aug 2026
- Lead sponsor
- South Dakota State University
- NCT number
- NCT07623785
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 20
- From 3 Jun 2026 to the primary completion date, 30 Aug 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Use of systemic antibiotics within the 2 months prior to baseline.
Other illness
- Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or other severe cognitive disorders.
- History of gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, celiac disease) or major gastrointestinal surgery.
- Uncontrolled diabetes, severe liver or kidney disease, or a recent cardiovascular event (within the past 6 months).
- Allergies or severe intolerances to beef or dairy, or adherence to a strict vegetarian or vegan diet.
Other
- Body weight fluctuation of \>5% within the past 3 months.
- Current heavy smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.
Who the study is looking for
- Adults aged 65 years and older.
- Generally healthy with no acute illnesses.
- Fluent in English.
- Willing to consume lean beef and dairy products (cottage cheese and whey protein) daily during the intervention phases.
- Willing to maintain current, habitual diet, physical activity levels, and body weight throughout the study.
- Willing to fast for 12 hours prior to clinical visits and provide blood, urine, stool, and saliva samples.
Age in the registry: 65 years to - · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Brookings | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.