Nutritional interventions may improve strength and body composition in older adults Original paper

In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, nutritional interventions improved strength and body composition parameters in community-dwelling older adults.

The effect of nutritional interventions on parameters related to strength, body composition, and physical function.

Specifically, the outcomes studied were BMI, fat-free mass, muscle mass, appendicular muscle mass (the combined muscle mass of the arms and legs), handgrip strength, knee extension strength, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) score, walking speed, Short Physical Performance Battery score, physical function, physical activity level, and frailty.

A total of 3,579 community-dwelling older adults, including older adults with no known health issues or with frailty or sarcopenia.

A meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials was performed. The trials were conducted in Asia (19 trials), Europe (10 19 trials), North America (3 19 trials), and Oceania (1 19 trials). The types of nutritional interventions studied included protein, vitamin D, nutrition education, and multi-ingredient supplements. The comparators were a placebo or no nutritional intervention. The intervention duration ranged from 12 to 48 weeks.

Compared with the control, nutritional interventions increased (improved) fat-free mass (low certainty), appendicular muscle mass (low certainty), handgrip strength (moderate certainty), knee extension strength (high certainty), and walking speed (low certainty). However, nutritional interventions also increased (worsened) TUG score (low certainty).