Can Dietary Supplements Support Muscle Function and Physical Activity? A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Healthy muscles are crucial for daily activities, quality of life, and healthy aging, extending beyond athletic performance.
• Growing interest exists in dietary supplementation for muscle health in non-athlete populations, including the elderly and peri- or menopausal women.
• Inflammation is a key factor in muscle health, influencing cellular events and responses to stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review muscle health from a nutritional perspective, focusing on function, mass, strength, and recovery.
• To evaluate the potential benefits and risks of common dietary supplements for non-athlete adults.
• To explore the role of the gut-muscle axis in overall muscle health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on muscle health, nutrition, and supplementation.
• Analysis of studies examining dietary supplements' effects on muscle function, mass, performance, and recovery.
• Inclusion of research on exercise-induced muscle damage, delayed onset muscle soreness, and the gut-muscle axis.

Main Results:

• Several dietary supplements, individually or in combination, show potential to optimize muscle health, particularly when paired with exercise or correcting nutritional deficits.
• Emerging evidence suggests benefits for muscle function, mass, and recovery, but robust clinical validation is still required.
• The gut-muscle axis is an emerging area with potential implications for muscle health.

Conclusions:

• Dietary supplementation may offer benefits for muscle health in various adult populations, but clinical evidence needs further substantiation.
• While generally safe, supplements require careful consideration regarding dosage, potential interactions, and reliable sourcing.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the efficacy and long-term benefits of supplements for maintaining muscle health throughout the lifespan.