Promoting healthy aging: A systematic review of the transformative effects of nutritional interventions in elderly...

The global aging population presents significant health challenges, including malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty, which reduce physical performance and quality of life while increasing healthcare costs. Nutritional interventions, such as oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and protein-enriched diets, have been proposed to address these issues, but evidence remains inconsistent. This review examines the effectiveness of dietary interventions including ONS and protein supplementation in improving health outcomes among older people.

A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science (2000-2024) identified 11,711 studies of which 48 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. This review was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guideline. Key outcomes measured were body composition, muscle mass, physical performance, inflammatory markers and quality of life.

ONS and protein supplements, particularly whey protein and leucine-enriched formulations improved muscle mass, strength and anthropometric measures including body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI). Combined interventions with physical exercise yielded greater effects on gait speed and handgrip strength. ONS also reduced hospitalization days, inflammation and oxidative stress. However, effects on cognitive outcomes and fat mass reduction were variable and heterogeneity across studies limited direct comparisons.

Nutritional interventions, particularly when combined with exercise, significantly benefit older adults. Standardized, high-quality RCTs are needed to develop evidence-based dietary guidelines for promoting healthy aging across care settings.