Effects of Whey Protein, Leucine, and Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Study answer

What this study found

Supplementation increased appendicular muscle mass in sarcopenic older adults (overall effect: SMD 0.27; 95% CI 0.09-0.44; p=0.003; I2=26%). Subgroups show larger gains with concurrent exercise (SMD 0.45; 95% CI 0.10-0.80; p=0.01) and still positive without exercise (SMD 0.21; 95% CI 0.01-0.41; p=0.04). Handgrip strength and SPPB improved significantly when supplementation was combined with exercise (handgrip: SMD 1.52; 95% CI 0.62-2.41; p=0.0009; I2=90; SPPB: SMD 1.97; 95% CI 1.54-2.40; p<0.00001; I2=90); without exercise, changes were not significant (handgrip: SMD 1.03; -0.10 to 2.16;…

Study & population

Three randomized controlled trials in older adults with sarcopenia.

Intervention

Bauer 2015: per-serving powder (40 g) delivering 20.7 g whey protein, 2.8 g total leucine, 800 IU vitamin D, 10.6 g essential amino acids, 9.4 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, 1.3 g fiber, 1.3 g minerals, and 0.3 g trace elements; 150 kcal; consumed before breakfast and lunch; duration 13 weeks; no exercise.

Key limitation

Only three RCTs (n=637) in older adults with sarcopenia; regimens and exercise co-interventions varied across trials; durations ranged 4–13 weeks; some risk-of-bias concerns in individual studies; results may not generalize to non-sarcopenic older populations.

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Original abstract