Clinical effectiveness of protein and amino acid supplementation on building muscle mass in elderly people: a meta-analysis

Zhe-rong Xu, Zhong-ju Tan, Qin Zhang, Qi-feng Gui, Yun-mei Yang, Zhe-rong Xu, Zhong-ju Tan, Qin Zhang, Qi-feng Gui, Yun-mei Yang

Abstract

Objective: A major reason for the loss of mobility in elderly people is the gradual loss of lean body mass known as sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is associated with a lower quality of life and higher healthcare costs. The benefit of strategies that include nutritional intervention, timing of intervention, and physical exercise to improve muscle loss unclear as finding from studies investigating this issue have been inconsistent. We have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the ability of protein or amino acid supplementation to augment lean body mass or strength of leg muscles in elderly patients.

Methods: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria of being a prospective comparative study or randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared the efficacy of an amino acid or protein supplement intervention with that of a placebo in elderly people (≥ 65 years) for the improvement of lean body mass (LBM), leg muscle strength or reduction associated with sarcopenia.

Results: The overall difference in mean change from baseline to the end of study in LBM between the treatment and placebo groups was 0.34 kg which was not significant (P = 0.386). The overall differences in mean change from baseline in double leg press and leg extension were 2.14 kg (P = 0.748) and 2.28 kg (P = 0.265), respectively, between the treatment group and the placebo group.

Conclusions: These results indicate that amino acid/protein supplements did not increase lean body mass gain and muscle strength significantly more than placebo in a diverse elderly population.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1. Flow diagram of study selection.
Figure 1. Flow diagram of study selection.
Figure 2. Forest plot showing results for…
Figure 2. Forest plot showing results for the meta-analysis of difference in mean change from baseline in lean-body-mass after intervention: treatment vs. control.
Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval.
Figure 3. Forest plot showing results for…
Figure 3. Forest plot showing results for the meta-analysis of difference in mean change from baseline in (A) muscle strength of double leg press and (B) muscle strength of leg extension after intervention: treatment vs. control.
Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval.
Figure 4. Results of sensitivity analysis to…
Figure 4. Results of sensitivity analysis to examine the influence of individual studies on pooled estimates as determined using the leave-one-out approach: (A) lean-body-mass; (B) muscle strength of double leg press.
Abbreviation: CI, confidence interval.
Figure 5. Funnel plot for the assessment…
Figure 5. Funnel plot for the assessment of publication bias for studies included in the meta-analysis of the assessment of the mean change from baseline in lean body mass after intervention.

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