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Effects of Protein, Essential Amino Acids, B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate, Creatine, Dehydroepiandrosterone and Fatty Acid Supplementation on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older People Aged 60 Years and Over. A Systematic Review of the Literature

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to investigate the effects protein, essential amino acids (EAA), β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), creatine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and fatty acid supplementation on muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance of elderly subjects.

Methods

Using the electronic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE we identified RCTs published until February 2016 which assessed the effects of these nutrient supplementation on muscle strength, muscle mass or physical performance. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers.

Results

Search strategy allowed us to identify 23 RCTs. Among them, four used proteins as nutritional supplement, seven EAAs, six creatine, four DHEA and finally, two HMB. From our systematic review, it seems that the effects of these supplementations on muscle health are rather limited. Only consistent effects of EAA supplementation on physical performance (3 out of the 4 RCTs using EAA supplementation found significant effect of this supplementation on physical performance) and HMB supplementation on muscle mass (all the 2 identified RCTs using HMB supplementation found significant effect of this supplementation on muscle mass) have been found across studies. No consistent effects were found for the other types of dietary supplementation. Because of the important limitations in study design, inconsistency and lack of directness, the overall quality of the evidence was judged to be low or very low using the GRADE system.

Conclusion

This systematic review showed a limited effect of nutritional supplementation on muscle mass, muscle power and physical function. Inconsistent positive effects were observed for some specific supplementations but the results only concerned one aspect of the muscle. Well designed and appropriately powered RCTs are needed to provide evidence for appropriate clinical recommendations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    C. Beaudart, V. Rabenda, A. Geerinck, J.-Y. Reginster & Olivier Bruyère

  2. Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

    M. Simmons

  3. Department of Ageing and Life Course, WHO, Geneve, Switzerland

    I. Araujo de Carvalho & J. Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan

  4. Research Unit in Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Belgium, Quartier hôpital, avenue hippocrate, 13, 4000, Liège, Belgium

    Olivier Bruyère

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  1. C. Beaudart
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  2. V. Rabenda
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  3. M. Simmons
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Correspondence to Olivier Bruyère.

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Beaudart, C., Rabenda, V., Simmons, M. et al. Effects of Protein, Essential Amino Acids, B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate, Creatine, Dehydroepiandrosterone and Fatty Acid Supplementation on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older People Aged 60 Years and Over. A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Nutr Health Aging 22, 117–130 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-017-0934-z

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