Whey protein, amino acids, and vitamin D supplementation with physical activity increases fat-free mass and strength, functionality, and quality of life and decreases inflammation in sarcopenic elderly.

Study answer

What this study found

The supplement plus exercise improved fat-free mass, strength, function, nutritional status, inflammation, and quality of life versus placebo, and was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Fat-free mass increased by 1382 (847, 1918) in the supplement group versus 2312 (2930, 307) with placebo; the treatment difference was 1695 (892, 2498). Relative skeletal muscle mass changed 0.21 (0.07, 0.35) versus -0.06 (-0.21, 0.90), handgrip changed 3.20 (2.23, 4.18) versus -0.47 (-1.07, 0.12), ADL changed 0.54 (0.39, 0.68) versus -0.61 (-0.79, -0.42), and MNA changed 1.76 (1.23, 2.28) versus…

Study & population

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial in elderly men and women with sarcopenia admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit in Pavia, Italy.

Intervention

Oral dietary supplement, 32 g once daily with meals for 12 weeks, compared with isocaloric maltodextrin placebo.

Key limitation

The intervention combined supplementation with exercise, so the supplement effect cannot be isolated from training.

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Original abstract