Sex-Specific Associations Between Prebiotic Supplement Intake and Sarcopenia Risk: Evidence From NHANES

Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, poses a significant public health challenge. This study explores the sex-specific associations between prebiotic intake and the risk of sarcopenia, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2014. Adult participants provided information on their prebiotic consumption and sarcopenia status, which was defined according to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) criteria, focusing on grip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body mass index (BMI). The analysis identified 4306 individuals as nonconsumers of prebiotics, whereas 157 were identified as consumers. The results showed an inverse association between prebiotic intake and the risk of sarcopenia among females, with an odds ratio of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.05-0.32, p = 0.01). In contrast, no significant association was observed in males. These findings suggest that prebiotic consumption may be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of sarcopenia among adult women, highlighting the need for further research to investigate the underlying mechanisms.