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Intake of a protein-enriched milk and effects on muscle mass and strength. A 12-week randomized placebo controlled trial among community-dwelling older adults

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the effect of 20 g protein with breakfast and evening meal on muscle mass, muscle strength and functional performance in older adults.

Design

A double-blinded randomized controlled study.

Setting

Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway.

Participants

Healthy community-dwelling men and women (≥ 70 years) with reduced physical strength and/or performance.

Intervention

Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either protein-enriched milk (2 x 0.4 L/d; protein group) or an isocaloric carbohydrate drink (2 x 0.4 L/d; control group) with breakfast and evening meal for 12 weeks.

Measurements

The primary endpoints were muscle mass measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry, and tests of muscle strength (one repetition maximum test of chest press and leg press) and functional performance (handgrip strength, stair climb and repeated chair rise).

Results

In total, 438 subjects were screened, 50 subjects were randomized and 36 completed the study. Chest press improved significantly in the protein (1.3 kg (0.1-2.5), p=0.03) and the control group (1.5 kg (0.0-3.0), p=0.048), but with no difference between the groups (p=0.85). No significant change in leg press (p=0.93) or muscle mass (p=0.54) were observed between the protein and the control group. Nor did we observe any significant differences in the functional performance tests (p>0.05 for all tests) between the groups.

Conclusion

Increased protein intake (2 x 20 g/d) did not significantly improve muscle mass, muscle strength or functional performance in healthy older weight stable adults. Whether intake of > 20 g protein to each meal is necessary for preservation of muscle mass and strength in older adults should be further investigated in a larger study. This underscores the need for well-designed studies that can differentiate between the effect of protein intake and increased energy. This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (ID no. NCT02218333).

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Abbreviations

EAA:

essential amino acid

1RM:

one repetition of maximum test

eGFR:

estimated glomerular filtration rate

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1046 Blindern, 0317, Oslo, Norway

    Inger Ottestad, G. O. Gjevestad, L. F. Andersen, K. Retterstøl, P. O. Iversen, S. M. Ulven & K. B. Holven

  2. Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway

    A. T. Løvstad, H. Hamarsland & T. Raastad

  3. TINE SA, Centre for Research and Development, Kalbakken, Oslo, Norway

    G. O. Gjevestad & A. S. Biong

  4. HØKH, Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway

    J. Šaltytė Benth

  5. Faculty Division Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway

    J. Šaltytė Benth

  6. Department of Health, Nutrition and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway

    A. Bye & S. M. Ulven

  7. Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    A. Bye

  8. Department of Hematology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    P. O. Iversen

  9. National Advisory Unit on Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Department of Endocrinology, Morbid Obesity and Preventive Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

    K. B. Holven

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  1. Inger Ottestad
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  2. A. T. Løvstad
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Correspondence to Inger Ottestad.

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Ottestad, I., Løvstad, A.T., Gjevestad, G.O. et al. Intake of a protein-enriched milk and effects on muscle mass and strength. A 12-week randomized placebo controlled trial among community-dwelling older adults. J Nutr Health Aging 21, 1160–1169 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0856-1

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