Effects of Protein, Essential Amino Acids, B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate, Creatine, Dehydroepiandrosterone and Fatty Acid Supplementation on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older People Aged 60 Years and Over. A Systematic Review on the Literature.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 29300431 · doi:10.1007/s12603-017-0934-z
What was done
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials indexed in MEDLINE and EMBASE up to February 2016. Two independent reviewers extracted data assessing the effects of protein, essential amino acids (EAAs), β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and fatty acid supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in adults aged 60 years and older.
What was found
Across 23 included RCTs (4 protein, 7 EAA, 6 creatine, 4 DHEA, and 2 HMB), overall effects on muscle health were limited. Significant positive effects were consistently reported only for EAA supplementation on physical performance (3 of 4 RCTs assessing this outcome) and HMB supplementation on muscle mass (2 of 2 RCTs). No consistent benefits were observed for the other supplements or outcomes. No pooled numerical effect sizes were reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Despite widespread interest in nutritional supplementation for sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss, the current trial literature provides weak and fragmented support for most common supplements.
Limits
The total evidence base was graded as low or very low quality using GRADE due to design limitations, inconsistency, and indirectness. The number of trials evaluating each individual supplement was small (ranging from 2 to 7 RCTs), and the abstract omitted total participant sample size, specific dosages, and quantitative effect estimates.
Cited by
- context In older adults aged 75 and older who do not strength train, essential amino acid supplementation significantly improves walking speed, walking endurance, and sit-to-stand time.