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Published on: July 5, 2017
Intake of a Protein-Enriched Milk and Effects on Muscle Mass and Strength. A 12-Week Randomized Placebo Controlled
I Ottestad1, A T Løvstad, G O Gjevestad
1Inger Ottestad, Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1046 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway. Tel: + 47-228540206, Inger.Ottestad@medisin.uio.no.
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 calimb 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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