O010 - LOW-METHOXY PECTIN IMPROVES PHYSICAL FUNCTION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN FRAIL OLDER ADULTS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

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O010

LOW-METHOXY PECTIN IMPROVES PHYSICAL FUNCTION, MENTAL HEALTH, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN FRAIL OLDER ADULTS: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

N. K. Al-Tameemi1,2,*, A. M. Valdes1,2, J. I. Grove1,2, G. P. Aithal1,2, K. E. Rollins1, T. Kelly1

1School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, 2Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom

 

Rationale: Frailty is a major driver of disability and healthcare burden in ageing populations [1]. Targeting gut-mediated inflammation through dietary fibre represents a novel and clinically relevant strategy to improve functional and psychological outcomes [2].

Methods: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 31 pre-frail and frail adults aged ≥65 years received low-methoxy pectin (10 g/day) plus whey protein (10 g) and cocoa (10 g), or a matched placebo for 4 weeks. Physical function was assessed using Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 30-second sit-to-stand tests. Mental health was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Results: Compared with placebo, pectin significantly improved TUG (-0.5367±1.450 vs -0.2943±2.011 seconds; p= 0.33) and sit-to-stand performance (2.067±1.944 vs 0.7143±2.268 repetitions; p=0.038). HADS anxiety (-1.467±1.187 vs -0.2857±0.7263; p=0.0057) and depression scores (-1.067±1.223 vs -0.07143±0.7300; p=0.0169) were significantly reduced. Improvements were also observed in SF-36 domains, including vitality and social functioning domains (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: Low-methoxy pectin provides clinically meaningful improvements in physical function, mental health, and quality of life in frail older adults. As a low-cost, accessible nutritional intervention, it represents a promising strategy for integrated frailty management and supports further investigation in larger, longer-duration trials.

References: 1.The Lancet Healthy L: Recognising frailty throughout adulthood. The Lancet Healthy longevity 2025, 6(8):100765-100765.

2.Niero M, Bartoli G, De Colle P, Scarcella M, Zanetti M: Impact of Dietary Fiber on Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Older Patients: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2023, 15(10):2365.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared