A whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional supplement stimulates gains in lean body mass and strength in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE
Q1
Jul 2017
Citations:97
Influential Citations:9
Interventional (Human) Studies
88
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Enhanced Details

Methods
49 healthy older men (mean age ~73 years; BMI ~28.5 kg/m2) randomized to receive either the multi-ingredient supplement or maltodextrin control in a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled parallel-group trial. After 6 weeks, participants continued their assigned beverage with a 12-week supervised exercise program (resistance training + HIIT). Primary outcomes: isotonic strength (1RM) and lean body mass (DXA).
Intervention
Two daily servings of a whey-protein-based multi-ingredient supplement. Each serving contains 30 g whey protein, 2.5 g creatine, 400 mg calcium, 500 IU vitamin D, and 1500 mg n-3 PUFA (EPA 700 mg, DHA 445 mg); beverages prepared by mixing one sachet with 425 mL water and consumed 1 h after breakfast and 1 h before bed. An additional 10 mL oil daily (supplement oil: 3000 mg n-3 PUFA with 1400 mg EPA and 890 mg DHA) was taken with the morning beverage. Duration: 20 weeks (Phase 1: 6 weeks supplementation alone; Phase 2: 12 weeks supplementation plus supervised exercise).
Results
Phase 1 (supplement alone): strength and lean mass gains favored the supplement (sum of all 1RMs increased by +14 ± 4 kg in SUPP vs +3 ± 2 kg in CON; lean mass +1.2 ± 0.3 kg in SUPP vs −0.1 ± 0.2 kg in CON; both P < 0.001). Phase 2 (with exercise): both groups gained strength, but upper-body strength remained higher in SUPP at week 19 (Σ upper body 1RM: 119 ± 4 kg SUPP vs 109 ± 5 kg CON; P = 0.039). SUPP also showed early lean-mass gains (whole body +0.7 kg in Phase 1; appendicular +0.4 kg; leg +0.3 kg; trunk +0.4 kg) with no further increases in Phase 2; CON showed no significant lean-mass changes. Metabolic health improved with supplementation: reductions in triglycerides and total cholesterol after Phase 1; improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity after Phase 2; 25(OH)D rose in SUPP from 44.3 to 57.1 nM by week 19; EPA+DHA in erythrocyte membranes increased in SUPP. Authors conclude that twice-daily multi-ingredient supplementation increases muscle strength and lean mass in healthy older men, with greater gains when combined with exercise; potential anti-sarcopenic benefits and metabolic-health improvements are suggested.
Limitations
Exclusion of women (limits generalizability to older women); small sample size; results may not apply to frail older adults; cannot isolate effects of individual nutrients; some outcomes showed limited or no improvement with Phase 2 and there was dropout bias (48 completed of 49 randomized).

Abstract

Protein and other compounds can exert anabolic effects on skeletal muscle, particularly in conjunction with exercise. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of twice daily consumption of a protein-based, multi-ingredient nutritional...