Skeletal muscle aging is associated with a fall in skeletal muscle mass as well as function as the age advances. This can eventually give way to age-related sarcopenia. The condition is associated with a reduced quality of life.¹

It has been shown that protein supplementation, particularly in the form of whey protein (WP), can potentially prevent sarcopenia.¹ Protein intake is critical for muscle mass, strength and functionality, more so in the elderly population.

It is noteworthy that different proteins have varying composition of amino acids as well as digestion rate.¹ WP is one of the key proteins that can enhance muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Different proteins can have an impact on the amplitude as well as the duration of MPS increase.² Therefore, protein quality matters!

A study compared the changes in myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) in elderly men at rest and after resistance exercise after taking soy protein and compared the responses to those previously observed with a whey protein isolate. Rates of MPS for soy protein isolate were less as compared to whey protein isolate in both exercised and non-exercised leg muscles. The relationship between protein intake and MPS is, therefore, dose-dependent and protein source-dependent. Soy isolate demonstrated a reduced ability, as compared to whey protein isolate, to stimulate MPS under rested and post-exercise conditions.³

Another study assessed the efficacy of WP-based, multi-ingredient nutritional supplement to increase strength and lean mass independent of, and in combination with, exercise in healthy older men. Phase 1 of the study included 6 weeks of supplement or control alone; Phase 2 included 12 week continuation of the supplement/control in combination with exercise: SUPP + EX or CON + EX. In Phase 1, only SUPP group gained strength and lean mass. Both groups gained strength in Phase 2; however, on completing the study, upper body strength was greater in the SUPP group.⁴ Elderly women have also been shown to benefit from this protein.¹

Whey protein is among the highest-quality proteins on account of its amino acid content - high in essential, branched-chain, and leucine amino acids. Additionally, it is rapidly digested. It stimulates MPS to a greater degree than other protein sources like casein and soy.⁵ Therefore, whey protein can be successfully employed to promote muscle health in the elderly.

References

1. Liao Y, Peng Z, Chen L, et al. Prospective Views for Whey Protein and/or Resistance Training Against Age-related Sarcopenia. Aging Dis. 2019 Feb; 10(1): 157–173.
2. Tang JE, Phillips SM. Maximizing muscle protein anabolism: the role of protein quality. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009 Jan;12(1):66-71.
3. Yang Y, Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, et al. Myofibrillar protein synthesis following ingestion of soy protein isolate at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012 Jun 14;9(1):57.
4. Bell KE, Snijders T, Zulyniak M, et al. A whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional supplement stimulates gains in lean body mass and strength in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2017 Jul 18;12(7):e0181387.
5. Devries MC, Phillips SM. Supplemental protein in support of muscle mass and health: advantage whey. J Food Sci. 2015 Mar;80 Suppl 1:A8-A15.