Effects of Protein, Essential Amino Acids, B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate, Creatine, Dehydroepiandrosterone and Fatty Acid Supplementation on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older People Aged 60 Years and Over. A Systematic Review on the Literature.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of DHEA supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in elderly subjects.
Results Summary
The study found no consistent effects of DHEA supplementation on muscle health, with limited evidence supporting its efficacy. Only inconsistent positive effects were observed, and the overall quality of evidence was judged to be low or very low.
Population
Elderly subjects
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
protein supplementation | no change | muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance | elderly subjects | - | limited effect | #1 |
essential amino acids (EAA) supplementation | increase | physical performance | elderly subjects | 3 out of the 4 RCTs found significant effect | consistent effects | #2 |
β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation | increase | muscle mass | elderly subjects | all the 2 identified RCTs found significant effect | consistent effects | #3 |
creatine supplementation | no change | muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance | elderly subjects | - | limited effect | #4 |
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation | no change | muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance | elderly subjects | - | limited effect | #5 |
fatty acid supplementation | no change | muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance | elderly subjects | - | limited effect | #6 |
nutritional supplementation | no change | muscle mass, muscle power, physical function | elderly subjects | - | limited effect | #7 |
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to investigate the effects protein, essential amino acids (EAA), β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and fatty acid supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance of elderly subjects. METHODS: Using the electronic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE we identified RCTs published until February 2016 which assessed the effects of these nutrient supplementation on muscle strength, muscle mass or physical performance. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Search strategy allowed us to identify 23 RCTs. Among them, four used proteins as nutritional supplement, seven EAAs, six creatine, four DHEA and finally, two HMB. From our systematic review, it seems that the effects of these supplementations on muscle health are rather limited. Only consistent effects of EAA supplementation on physical performance (3 out of the 4 RCTs using EAA supplementation found significant effect of this supplementation on physical performance) and HMB supplementation on muscle mass (all the 2 identified RCTs using HMB supplementation found significant effect of this supplementation on muscle mass) have been found across studies. No consistent effects were found for the other types of dietary supplementation. Because of the important limitations in study design, inconsistency and lack of directness, the overall quality of the evidence was judged to be low or very low using the GRADE system. CONCLUSION: This systematic review showed a limited effect of nutritional supplementation on muscle mass, muscle power and physical function. Inconsistent positive effects were observed for some specific supplementations but the results only concerned one aspect of the muscle. Well designed and appropriately powered RCTs are needed to provide evidence for appropriate clinical recommendations.