A Five-Ingredient Nutritional Supplement and Home-Based Resistance Exercise Improve Lean Mass and Strength in Free-Living Elderly.

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 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.

• Authors: Mats I Nilsson, Andrew Mikhail, Lucy Lan, Alessia Di Carlo, Bethanie Hamilton, Kristin Barnard, Bart P Hettinga, Erin Hatcher, Milla G Tarnopolsky, Joshua P Nederveen, Adam L Bujak, Linda May, Mark A Tarnopolsky
• Journal: Nutrients (Nutrients) Vol. 12 Issue 8 (Aug 10 2020) ISSN: 2072-6643 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 32785021 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anabolic Agents
• Caseins
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Muscle Proteins
• Vitamins
• Whey Proteins
• Vitamin D
• Creatine

Topics

• Aged
• Anabolic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Body Composition
• Body Fluid Compartments
• Caseins (therapeutic use)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Creatine (therapeutic use)
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Exercise
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch
• Muscle Proteins
• Muscle Strength
• Muscle, Skeletal (drug effects, metabolism, physiology)
• Quadriceps Muscle
• Resistance Training
• Sarcopenia (physiopathology, therapy)
• Self Care
• Vitamin D (therapeutic use)
• Vitamins
• Whey Proteins (therapeutic use)