Effects of dietary protein-load and alkaline supplementation on acid-base balance and glucose metabolism in healthy elderly.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
PubMed 32873957 · doi:10.1038/s41430-020-0695-3
What was done
Forty healthy elderly volunteers were randomized 1:1 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to receive either an alkaline supplement (verum) or placebo while on a 4-week protein-rich diet. Acid-base balance and metabolic parameters were evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention using peripheral blood samples, indirect calorimetry, and muscle microdialysis before and after a protein-rich test meal.
What was found
The abstract reports qualitative outcomes and directional findings without numerical values or exact statistics: - Protein-rich diet alone did not significantly alter acid-base balance. - Alkaline supplementation increased plasma bicarbonate concentration without altering pH. - Postprandial increases in serum glucose and insulin tended to be lower with verum versus placebo. - Resting and postprandial energy metabolism, as well as carbohydrate and fat oxidation, did not differ significantly between groups. - Postprandial muscle glucose uptake and aerobic glucose oxidation were significantly higher with verum. - Verum significantly increased serum magnesium concentrations.
Why it matters
A four-week high-protein diet did not induce systemic acidosis in healthy older adults, but concurrent alkaline supplementation enhanced peripheral muscle glucose uptake and oxidation.
Limits
The sample size is small (n = 40) and limited to healthy elderly individuals. The abstract reports no exact numerical values, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. The intervention duration was short (4 weeks), and specific protein intake levels and supplement compositions are not detailed in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Scientific data does not support the idea that dietary acid or alkaline intake can dramatically alter systemic blood pH due to buffering mechanisms.