A Whey Protein-Based, Multi-Ingredient Supplement Independently Stimulates Gains in Lean Body Mass and Strength, and Enhances Exercise-Induced Adaptations in Older Men

Reductions in muscle mass and strength with age (sarcopenia) increase the risk for falls, metabolic disorders, and the need for assisted living. Nutrition and exercise interventions are effective in combating sarcopenia. A number of nutrition supplements have been shown to be ‘anti-sarcopenic’ in their action as isolated compounds but they have never been combined. The objective of this double-blind randomized controlled study was to evaluate whether daily consumption of a protein-based, multi-ingredient nutritional supplement would result in (i) gains in strength and lean body mass independent of exercise; and (ii) enhance exercise-mediated improvements in these outcomes in a group of healthy older men. Forty-nine men (age: 73 ± 1 years; BMI: 28.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2) were randomized to 20 weeks of nutrition supplementation (SUPP n=25; whey protein, creatine, vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil twice daily) or placebo (PLB n=24; carbohydrate twice daily). Following 6 weeks of supplementation (Phase 1: SUPP/PLB), subjects undertook a 12-week progressive exercise training program consisting of resistance exercise and high-intensity interval training (Phase 2: SUPP/PLB+EX). Dynamic strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM]) for all training exercises and whole body lean mass (WBLM; via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) were evaluated at weeks 0 (baseline), 7 (Phase 1: SUPP/PLB only), and 20 (Phase 2: SUPP/PLB+EX). Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model with treatment and time as factors. Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Unless otherwise stated, p-values refer to changes over time within each treatment group. Between weeks 0–7 (Phase 1: SUPP/PLB only), subjects in the SUPP group demonstrated substantial gains in strength (Δ ∑1RM: +14 ± 4 kg, p=0.001) and lean mass (Δ WBLM: +1.2 ± 0.3 kg, p=0.001), whereas no change in either outcome was observed in the PLB group (Δ ∑1RM: +3 ± 2 kg, p=1.000; Δ WBLM: −0.1 ± 0.2 kg, p=1.000). With the addition of exercise training (Phase 2: SUPP/PLB+EX), upper body strength increased to a greater degree in the SUPP group (Δ ∑ upper body 1RM: +13 ± 2 kg, p<0.001) compared to the PLB group (Δ ∑ upper body 1RM: +9 ± 2 kg, p<0.001). At baseline and week 7, we observed no difference in strength between SUPP and PLB. However, upon completion of the exercise training program upper body strength was greater in the SUPP group when compared to the PLB group (∑ upper body 1RM at week 20: 119 ± 4 vs. 109 ± 5 kg, p=0.039). Exercise training did not induce further improvements in lean mass in either group (SUPP Δ WBLM: +0.5 ± 0.2 kg, p=0.576; PLB, Δ WBLM: +0.3 ± 0.3 kg, p=0.982). We conclude that the multi-ingredient nutritional supplement was effective in stimulating gains in strength, as well as gains in lean mass comparable to those observed following longer-term, intensive resistance exercise training regimens in older men. This proof-of-principle study demonstrates that a multi-pronged nutritional approach, combined with an exercise training program that targets both strength and body composition, is advantageous in attenuating the effects of sarcopenia in aging.