Effect of Snacks on Aging

Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily consumption of 2 oz of pecans compared to 3.5 oz pretzel snacks for 12 weeks will 1) contribute to the body's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage (caused by oxygen radicals created by ultraviolet (UV) B light) by evaluating skin resistance to UV light irritation, skin fats/oils degradation and "rusting", and oxidative damage to the skin genes; and 2) explore the mechanisms of how snack consumption may affect aging by analyzing blood markers of aging as well as the microbes living in the gut (gut microbiome).

Conditions

Aging

Talk to us

Study Overview

On this page

Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to determine if daily consumption of 2 oz of pecans compared to 3.5 oz pretzel snacks for 12 weeks will 1) contribute to the body's ability to protect itself from oxidative damage (caused by oxygen radicals created by ultraviolet (UV) B light) by evaluating skin resistance to UV light irritation, skin fats/oils degradation and "rusting", and oxidative damage to the skin genes; and 2) explore the mechanisms of how snack consumption may affect aging by analyzing blood markers of aging as well as the microbes living in the gut (gut microbiome).

Effect of Pecan Consumption on Aging

Effect of Snacks on Aging

Condition
Aging
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Los Angeles

UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Female
  • * Generally healthy
  • * Aged 55-75 years
  • * BMI 18.5-34.9 kg/m2
  • * Fitzpatrick Skin type II-IV
  • * Consume a typical Western diet (low in polyphenols-rich foods and fiber)
  • * Willing to maintain habitual dietary and exercise patterns for the study duration
  • * Willing to maintain normal skin care products and pattern for the duration of the study
  • * Willing to come to study visits without any makeup and skin products on
  • * Subjects must read and sign the Institutional Review Board-approved written informed consent prior to the initiation of any study specific procedures or enrollment. A subject will be excluded for any condition that might compromise the ability to give truly informed consent.
  • * Vegetarian/vegan
  • * Known nut allergy
  • * Skin-related prescription medication, supplements or non-prescription cosmeceutical agents
  • * Initiation of topical or oral prescription steroids and/or anti-inflammatory medications within 30 days prior to study enrollment
  • * Excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight
  • * Screening laboratory values outside of the normal range that is considered clinically significant for study participation by the investigator
  • * Documented chronic disease
  • * Taking medications or supplements known to affect gut microbiota composition (antibiotics within the past 3 months, probiotics, fiber, etc.)
  • * Taking exogenous hormones (e.g. hormone replacement therapy)
  • * Recent weight fluctuations (\>10% in the last 6 months)
  • * Smoker or living with a smoker
  • * Use of \>20 g of alcohol per day
  • * Unable or unwilling to comply with the study protocol (including unwillingness to avoid nuts for the whole duration of the study)
  • * Unable to provide consent
  • * Pregnancy and/or lactation

Ages Eligible for Study

55 Years to 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of California, Los Angeles,

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of California, Los Angeles

Study Record Dates

2026-06-30