title: Effectiveness of nutritional supplementation on muscle mass in treatment of sarcopenia in old age: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Much interest has been focused on nutritional treatment of sarcopenia, loss of muscle mass and performance associated to aging; however, its benefits are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the relevance of nutritional treatment of sarcopenia and assess the effects of supplementation on muscle mass and function within the aged population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched Medline and the Cochrane Library for controlled trials published between 1991 and 2012. We have assessed the quality, type of intervention, the cohort used, the way muscle mass was measured, and the outcomes of the various studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have included 17 studies, with a total of 1287 patients, aged between 65 and 85 on average. An improvement in muscle mass was proven, whether measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and an improvement in strength was also proven.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutritional supplementation is effective in the treatment of sarcopenia in old age, and its positive effects increase when associated with physical exercise. The main limitation of this treatment is lack of long-term adherence. A healthy diet associated with a physically active lifestyle and possibly with aerobic exercise are the basis of healthy aging, which is the aim of all doctors treating aged people must seek.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Pamplona, Spain. vmalafarina@gmail.com
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Malafarina
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uriz-Otano
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iniesta
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gil-Guerrero
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000178:diet therapy*