Nutrition Interventions on Muscle-Related Components of Sarcopenia in Females: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of dairy derivatives as a nutrition intervention for improving muscle-related components of sarcopenia in middle-aged and older females.
Results Summary
The study found that dairy derivatives did not demonstrate any significant effect on muscle mass, strength, or function in the included RCTs. The results suggest that dairy alone may not be sufficient to impact sarcopenia-related outcomes in this population.
Population
Middle-aged and older females, particularly postmenopausal women.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
protein | increase | muscle protein synthesis, muscle strength, and/or muscle function | middle-aged and older females | - | beneficial effects | #1 |
Vitamin D | increase | muscle protein synthesis, muscle strength, and/or muscle function | middle-aged and older females | - | beneficial effects | #2 |
Vitamin D and Magnesium (Mg) | increase | muscle protein synthesis, muscle strength, and/or muscle function | middle-aged and older females | - | beneficial effects | #3 |
fish oil | increase | muscle protein synthesis, muscle strength, and/or muscle function | middle-aged and older females | - | beneficial effects | #4 |
various protein interventions | no change | - | middle-aged and older females | - | did not demonstrate any effect | #5 |
Vitamin D alone | no change | - | middle-aged and older females | - | did not demonstrate any effect | #6 |
Magnesium (Mg) alone | no change | - | middle-aged and older females | - | did not demonstrate any effect | #7 |
dairy derivatives | no change | - | middle-aged and older females | - | did not demonstrate any effect | #8 |
nutrition interventions alone | increase | muscle-related components of sarcopenia | females | - | likely to have a limited but positive effect | #9 |
combination of dietary intervention and exercise | decrease | sarcopenia | middle aged and older females | - | likely to be key to preventing and treating sarcopenia | #10 |
Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disease categorized by low muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance. Sarcopenia etiology is multifaceted, and while resistance training is widely agreed upon for prevention and treatment, disease progression is also highly related to poor diet. The incidence of sarcopenia appears sex-specific and may be increased in females, which is problematic because dietary quality is often altered later in life, particularly after menopause. Identifying effective nutrition or supplementation interventions could be an important strategy to delay sarcopenia and related comorbidities in this vulnerable population. This systematic review examined randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition strategies on muscle-related components of sarcopenia in middle-aged and older females. A protocol was registered (PROSPERO CRD42022382943) and a systematic search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken. RCTs from 2013 to 2023 that assessed nutrition-only interventions on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function in female participants were included. Fourteen RCTs were included based on selection criteria. Study designs and interventions were heterogeneous in supplementation type and amount, age, and duration. Six RCTs reported beneficial effects of protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin D and Magnesium (Mg), and fish oil on muscle protein synthesis, muscle strength, and/or muscle function. Eight studies that examined various protein interventions, VitD alone, Mg alone, and dairy derivatives did not demonstrate any effect. Exercise appeared to modulate results in several studies. Nutrition interventions alone are likely to have a limited but positive effect on muscle-related components of sarcopenia in females. Current evidence suggests that a combination of dietary intervention and exercise is likely to be key to preventing and treating sarcopenia in middle aged and older females and there is a need for well-designed nutrition based studies in this population.