A Five-Ingredient Nutritional Supplement and (HBRE) Improve Lean Mass and Strength in Free-Living Elderly

[madman]

Abstract: Old age is associated with lower physical activity levels, suboptimal protein intake, and desensitization to anabolic stimuli, predisposing for age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). Although resistance exercise (RE) and protein supplementation partially protect against sarcopenia under controlled conditions, the efficacy of home-based, unsupervised RE (HBRE) and multi-ingredient supplementation (MIS) is largely unknown. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial, we examined the effects of HBRE/MIS on muscle mass, strength, and function in free-living, older men. Thirty-two sedentary men underwent twelve weeks of home-based resistance band training (3 d/week), in combination with a daily intake of a novel five-nutrient supplement (‘Muscle5’; M5, n = 16, 77.4 ± 2.8 y) containing whey, micellar casein, creatine, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, or an isocaloric/isonitrogenous placebo (PLA; n = 16, 74.4 ± 1.3 y), containing collagen and sunflower oil. Appendicular and total lean mass (ASM; +3%, TLM; +2%), lean mass to fat ratios (ASM/% body fat; +6%, TLM/% body fat; +5%), maximal strength (grip; +8%, leg press; +17%), and function (5-Times Sit-to-Stand time; −9%) were significantly improved in the M5 group following HBRE/MIS therapy (pre vs. post-tests; p < 0.05). Fast-twitch muscle fiber cross-sectional areas of the quadriceps muscle were also significantly increased in the M5 group post-intervention (Type IIa; +30.9%, Type IIx, +28.5%, p < 0.05). Sub-group analysis indicated even greater gains in total lean mass in sarcopenic individuals following HBRE/MIS therapy (TLM; +1.65 kg/+3.4%, p < 0.05). We conclude that the Muscle5 supplement is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective complement to low-intensity, home-based resistance exercise and improves lean mass, strength, and overall muscle quality in old age.







5. Conclusions

Herein, we have demonstrated that once-daily multi-ingredient supplementation with whey, micellar casein, creatine, vitamin D3, EPA/DHA (‘Muscle5’; M5), and home-based, low-intensity resistance exercise (3 d/week), improve total lean mass, muscle fiber size, muscle-to-fat ratios, strength, performance, and overall muscle quality in free-living, physically inactive, older males. Previous RCTs have shown that an almost identical blend of nutrients augments muscle gains independently and in conjunction with supervised resistance exercise/HIIT [53], and may confer anti-inflammatory and cognitive benefits in healthy older males [69,70]. Our results also suggest that the M5 supplement may potentiate muscle gains in resistance-trained sarcopenic men, although a larger cohort, including both male and female participants, will be necessary to confirm its clinical relevance. Future studies on muscle, cognitive, and immune benefits in high-risk populations using the current low-dosage M5 iteration are warranted, particularly in women. We conclude that protein-based, multi-ingredient supplementation, such as Muscle5, is safe, well-tolerated, and an effective complement to strength training for maintenance of skeletal muscle in old age.

 

[madman]

Table 2. Ingredients and energy content per serving in ‘Muscle5’ and Placebo

 

[sammmy]

Nice study but the effect of adding the protein/vitamin supplement is not impressive: total lean mass increased on average by 0.31 kg for the exercise-only group and 1.09 kg for the exercise-and-supplement group, body fat mass increased by 0.75kg (exercise-only) and decreased by -0.39 kg (exercise-and-supplement).

The strength improvements look better in the supplemented group because they were strangely weaker at baseline, compared to the non supplemented group - looks like problem with randomization.

The 5-times-Sit-to-Stand time decreases by about 1 seconds in both groups.

The other 'ratios' reported are just mathematical mumbo-jumbo to make the unimpressive differences between groups sound more impressive.

The bottom line is that the usual bodybuilding supplements (protein, creatine, vit D) do help but not by an impressive amount for slightly-obese older individuals that train with resistance bands.

There is one gem in the data. This is the first study I see that clearly shows supplementation with protein/creatine increased the blood creatinine by 10%. This is for people monitoring kidney function. Also, the C-reactive protein increased in the supplement group but was 'not statistically significant' due to the small sample size of the group (n=16).

 

[JohnTaylorHK]

I think that most will show improvement if they are deficient in any nutritional aspect that the proposed supplement provides, as long as there is no underlying health issue. Exercise, at an appropriate level, will also serve to improve the lives of most.