The effects of dietary protein on physical performance and body composition in middle age and older people having type II diabetes mellitus: a randomized pilot study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the impact of increased dietary protein intake on muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in middle-aged and older adults with T2DM.
Results Summary
The intervention group (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day protein) showed significant improvements in hand grip strength and physical performance, while the control group (0.8-1.0 g/kg/day) experienced reductions in muscle mass and strength. The progression of T2DM was not affected by protein intake.
Population
Middle-aged and older adults (>55 years) diagnosed with T2DM and exhibiting low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance.
Effective Dosage
Control group: 0.8-1.0 g/kg/day; Intervention group: 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day.
Duration
12 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
protein-rich diet (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day) | increase | hand grip strength (HGS) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p < 0.001 | showed a significant improvement | #1 |
protein-rich diet (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day) | increase | physical performance (timed-up-and-go) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p < 0.001 | showed a significant improvement | #2 |
protein-rich diet (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day) | increase | gait speed (GS) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p = 0.011 | showed a significant improvement | #3 |
protein-rich diet (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day) | increase | standing balance (SB) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p = 0.022 | showed a significant improvement | #4 |
standard protein diet (0.8-1.0 g/kg/day) | decrease | appendicular lean mass (ALM) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p = 0.014 | had its ... significantly reduced | #5 |
standard protein diet (0.8-1.0 g/kg/day) | decrease | skeletal muscle index (SMI) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p = 0.011 | had its ... significantly reduced | #6 |
standard protein diet (0.8-1.0 g/kg/day) | decrease | hand grip strength (HGS) | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | p = 0.011 | had its ... significantly reduced | #7 |
protein-rich diet (1.2-1.5 g/kg/day) | no change | progression of T2DM | middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with low muscle mass, strength, or poor physical performance | - | was not interrupted | #8 |
standard protein diet (0.8-1.0 g/kg/day) | no change | muscle mass loss | middle age and older adults' individuals with T2DM | - | is certainly not enough to ameliorate | #9 |
PURPOSE: Protein supplementation has been proposed as an effective dietary strategy for maintaining or increasing skeletal muscle mass and improving physical performance in middle-aged and older adults. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates muscle mass loss, leading to many older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experiencing sarcopenia, and vice versa. Our objective was to assess the impact of increased dietary protein intake on muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and the progression of T2DM in middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with this condition. METHODS: A 12-week randomized, controlled, parallel pilot study was conducted with 26 patients diagnosed with T2DM and had either low muscle mass, or low muscle strength or poor physical performance (age > 55 years old), aiming to investigate the effects of a protein-rich diet in sarcopenic and metabolic markers. The control group received 0.8-1.0 g/kg/day, while the intervention group received 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day of protein respectively. Body composition, muscle mass/strength and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Different kinetics of skeletal muscle index (SMI), appendicular lean mass (ALM), hand grip strength (HGS), gait speed (GS) and standing balance (SB) (p < 0.05) were observed between two groups. Specifically, the intervention group showed a significant improvement in HGS (p < 0.001) and physical performance (timed-up-and-go, p < 0.001; GS, p = 0.011; SB, p = 0.022), while the control group had its ALM (p = 0.014), SMI (p = 0.011) and HGS (p = 0.011) significantly reduced. The kinetics of metabolic markers indices was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Current recommendation for protein intake (0.8-1 g/kg/day) is certainly not enough to ameliorate the muscle mass loss in middle age and older adults' individuals with T2DM. In contrast, protein intake of 1.2-1.5 g/kg/day seems to be a more appropriate recommendation to combat upcoming sarcopenia, nonetheless the progression of T2DM was not interrupted.