title: Whey protein, amino acids, and vitamin D supplementation with physical activity increases fat-free mass and strength, functionality, and quality of life and decreases inflammation in sarcopenic elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interventions to attenuate the adverse effects of age-related loss of skeletal muscle and function include increased physical activity and nutritional supplementation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study tested the hypothesis that nutritional supplementation with whey protein (22 g), essential amino acids (10.9 g, including 4 g leucine), and vitamin D [2.5 μg (100 IU)] concurrent with regular, controlled physical activity would increase fat-free mass, strength, physical function, and quality of life, and reduce the risk of malnutrition in sarcopenic elderly persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 130 sarcopenic elderly people (53 men and 77 women; mean age: 80.3 y) participated in a 12-wk randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled supplementation trial. All participants concurrently took part in a controlled physical activity program. We examined body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength with a handgrip dynamometer, and blood biochemical indexes of nutritional and health status, and evaluated global nutritional status, physical function, and quality of life before and after the 12 wk of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with physical activity and placebo, supplementation plus physical activity increased fat-free mass (1.7-kg gain, P < 0.001), relative skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.009), android distribution of fat (P = 0.021), handgrip strength (P = 0.001), standardized summary scores for physical components (P = 0.030), activities of daily living (P = 0.001), mini nutritional assessment (P = 0.003), and insulin-like growth factor I (P = 0.002), and lowered C-reactive protein (P = 0.038).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplementation with whey protein, essential amino acids, and vitamin D, in conjunction with age-appropriate exercise, not only boosts fat-free mass and strength but also enhances other aspects that contribute to well-being in sarcopenic elderly. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02402608.
authors: Department of Public Health and Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Azienda Human Service of Pavia, mariangela.rondanelli@unipv.it.
authors: Mariangela
authors: M
authors: Rondanelli
authors: Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology Service, San Matteo Hospital, Pavia, Italy;
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Klersy
authors: Research and Clinical Investigation Department, Company Medical Dietetics, Savigliano, Italy;
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Terracol
authors: Research and Clinical Investigation Department, Akern, Pontassieve, Italy; and.
authors: Jacopo
authors: J
authors: Talluri
authors: Research and Clinical Investigation Department, Company Medical Dietetics, Savigliano, Italy;
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Maugeri
authors: Medical and Genomic Statistics Unit, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, and.
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Guido
authors: Department of Public Health and Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Azienda Human Service of Pavia.
authors: Milena A
authors: MA
authors: Faliva
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy;
authors: Bruno S
authors: BS
authors: Solerte
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy;
authors: Marisa
authors: M
authors: Fioravanti
authors: Department of Kinesiology and Public Health Education, Hyslop Sports Center, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Lukaski
authors: Department of Public Health and Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Section of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Azienda Human Service of Pavia.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Perna
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000601:Amino Acids, Essential / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001823:Body Composition; D001825:Body Fluid Compartments / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000517:prevention & control; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011788:Quality of Life; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000067816:Whey Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000601:Amino Acids, Essential; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D014807:Vitamin D; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: amino acids; dietary supplement; elderly; fat-free mass; insulin-like growth factor I; relative skeletal muscle mass; sarcopenia; vitamin D; whey protein