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Improving sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of whey protein supplementation with or without resistance training.

The journal of nutrition, health & aging
April 1, 2024
Ming-Lin Li et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to analyze the effects of whey protein supplementation with or without resistance training on muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in older patients with sarcopenia.

Results Summary

Whey protein significantly improved muscle mass, gait speed, and handgrip strength when combined with resistance training. It also reduced interleukin-6, increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and albumin, and enhanced energy and protein intake without affecting BMI, weight, or fat mass.

Population

Older patients (community or hospital-based) diagnosed with sarcopenia according to EWGSOP or AWGS criteria.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (13)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
appendicular skeletal muscle mass index
older patients with sarcopenia
SMD: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.71
significantly increased
#1
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
appendicular skeletal muscle mass
older patients with sarcopenia
SMD: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.45
significantly increased
#2
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
gait speed
older patients with sarcopenia
SMD: 1.13, 95%CI: 0.82, 1.44
significantly increased
#3
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake with resistance training (RT)
increase
handgrip strength
older patients with sarcopenia
SMD: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.29, 1.04
significant increase
#4
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
decrease
interleukin-6
older patients with sarcopenia
-
significantly reduced
#5
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
insulin-like growth factor-1
older patients with sarcopenia
-
significantly increased
#6
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
albumin
older patients with sarcopenia
-
significantly increased
#7
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
participants' intake of total energy
older patients with sarcopenia
-
promoted
#8
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
participants' intake of protein
older patients with sarcopenia
-
promoted
#9
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
increase
activities of daily living scores
patients
-
enhanced
#10
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
no change
BMI
older patients with sarcopenia
-
had no significant effect
#11
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
no change
weight
older patients with sarcopenia
-
had no significant effect
#12
whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake
no change
fat mass
older patients with sarcopenia
-
had no significant effect
#13
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to comprehensively analyze the effects of whey protein (WP)-enriched supplement intake with or without resistance training (RT) in older patients, either from the community or hospital, who were diagnosed with sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP or AWGS criteria. METHODS: This meta-analysis study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023407885). We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for RCTs up to June 1, 2023. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the pooled results. RESULTS: Ten RCT studies, including 1154 participants, were included and analyzed. The primary outcomes were the changes in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. In WP group versus (vs.) Isocaloric placebo (PLA)/Routine consultation (RC) group, WP significantly increased the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMD: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.23, 0.71), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (SMD: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.11, 0.45) and gait speed (SMD: 1.13, 95%CI: 0.82, 1.44) in older patients with sarcopenia. In WP with RT group vs. PLA/ RC group, there was significant increase in handgrip strength (SMD: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.29, 1.04). In addition, in the secondary outcomes, WP significantly reduced interleukin-6, significantly increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and albumin, promoted participants' intake of total energy and protein, enhanced activities of daily living scores in patients, and had no significant effect on BMI, weight, or fat mass. CONCLUSION: This review confirms that WP can improve various aspects of older adult with sarcopenia, thereby enhancing their overall physical condition. More studies should be conducted to validate this result and further explore the effects of WP and RT in patients with sarcopenia.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleDietary SupplementsMuscle StrengthMuscle, SkeletalPhysical Functional PerformanceRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicResistance TrainingSarcopeniaWhey Proteins
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations15
Citations/Year15.0
Relative Citation Ratio6.65
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score3.35
Normalized Score0.72
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