Dietary Supplements and Middle Aged Women (Collagen & Omega)

To join this study, you need to be a woman between 35 and 65 years old. You should generally be healthy, meaning you don't have any major ongoing illnesses, and you shouldn't be a smoker. Your Body Mass Index (BMI) should be between 18 and 30, which is considered a healthy or overweight range. You can be someone who exercises regularly (following recommended guidelines) or someone who is less active but still does some daily movement like walking.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have a current injury to your muscles or bones, or if you have a diagnosed condition like heart disease, diabetes, or severe arthritis, you wouldn't be suitable. If you've recently started new prescription medication or hormone replacement therapy, or if these are not stable, you also couldn't take part. It's also important that you're not pregnant or breastfeeding, and you shouldn't have any allergies to the ingredients in the supplements or breakfast provided. If you're currently taking collagen or omega-3 and aren't willing to stop for the study, or if you've lost a lot of weight recently or plan to during the study, you wouldn't be eligible. Lastly, you need to be able to do the cognitive tests and be willing to keep your diet and activity levels consistent during the study.

If you join this study, you'll first have an introductory visit. Here, you'll learn all about the study, and if you agree to take part, you'll practice some simple memory and attention tests. You'll also be asked to keep a food diary for three days.

Next, you'll have a main visit. During this visit, researchers will ask you to fill out questionnaires about your activity levels, quality of life, sleep, and any menopause symptoms. They will measure your height, weight, and body composition, and check your blood pressure and grip strength. You'll also provide a blood sample. You'll complete assessments for joint pain and tiredness, and rate your stomach comfort. You'll then be given either the collagen and omega-3 supplements or dummy pills to take for 8 weeks, along with a log to track your daily intake. You'll also be asked to keep another food diary before your final visit.

After 8 weeks, you'll return for a final visit, which will be similar to your main visit. All the same measurements and tests will be repeated to see if there have been any changes. The total duration of your active participation, including the 8 weeks of taking supplements, will be around 9-10 weeks.