In a recent randomized double-blind controlled trial, investigators assessed the effect of a nutritional supplement containing whey protein, vitamin D and E on measures of sarcopenia.

Overall, 60 older adults with sarcopenia were recruited in this placebo-controlled (iso-caloric control product) trial for 6 months. Muscle mass [Relative skeletal mass index (RSMI)], muscle strength (handgrip strength), physical function (6-m gait speed, chair stand test, and timed-up-and-go test, TUG), quality of life (measured by Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, SF-36), and blood biochemical indexes were assessed before and after 6 months of intervention.

Nutritional supplementation with whey protein, vitamin D and vitamin E improved RSMI (mean difference: 0.18 kg/m²), handgrip strength (mean difference: 2.68 kg), SF-36 mental component summary (SF-36 MCS) (mean difference: 11.26), SF-36 physical component summary (SF-36 PCS) (mean difference: 20.21), serum IGF-1 (mean difference: 14.34 ng/mL), IL-2 (mean difference: −575.32 pg/mL), serum vitamin D₃ (mean difference: 11.01 ng/mL), and serum vitamin E (mean difference: 4.17 ng/L), in comparison with the placebo group.

Supplementation of whey protein, with vitamin D and E was thus shown to significantly improve RSMI, muscle strength, and anabolic markers, including IGF-1 and IL-2, in older adults who had sarcopenia.

Reference

1. Bo Y, Liu C, Ji Z, et al. A high whey protein, vitamin D and E supplement preserves muscle mass, strength, and quality of life in sarcopenic older adults: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. ClinNutr. 2019;38(1):159-64.