It seems possible to preserve or build muscle mass in older adults by enhancing muscle anabolism through adequate amount of high-quality protein at each meal.

A "proof of principle" study was thus designed to ascertain the effect that supplementing breakfast with a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein medical nutrition drink had on postprandial muscle protein synthesis as well as its long-term effect on muscle mass in healthy older adults. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study included 24 healthy older men, with mean age 71 ± 4 (SD) years and body mass index 24.7 ± 2.8 kg/m².

Study subjects receiving a medical nutrition drink before breakfast for 6 weeks formed the test group. The control group received a noncaloric placebo before breakfast for 6 weeks. Investigators monitored mixed muscle protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) at week 0 in the basal and postprandial state, after study product intake with a standardized breakfast. The longer-term effect of the medical nutrition drink was assessed on the basis of measurements of appendicular lean mass, representing skeletal muscle mass at weeks 0 and 6.

Postprandial FSR (0-240 min) was found to be higher in the test group in comparison with the control group [estimate of difference (ED): 0.022%/h]. Gain in appendicular lean mass was higher in the test group than the control group after 6 weeks (ED: 0.37 kg), particularly as leg lean mass (ED: 0.30 kg).

It was thus concluded that supplementation of breakfast with a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein drink has the potential to stimulate postprandial muscle protein synthesis and can enhance muscle mass following 6 weeks of intervention in healthy older adults. This could be a promising strategy in supporting muscle preservation in older people.

Reference

1. Chanet A, Verlaan S, Salles J, et al. Supplementing Breakfast with a Vitamin D and Leucine-Enriched Whey Protein Medical Nutrition Drink Enhances Postprandial Muscle Protein Synthesis and Muscle Mass in Healthy Older Men. J Nutr. 2017 Dec;147(12):2262-2271.