Effect of an Enriched Protein Drink on Muscle Mass and Glycemic Control during Combined Lifestyle Intervention in Older Adults with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Double-Blind RCT

• Published in: Nutrients 2020-12, Vol.13 (1), p.64
• Main Authors: Memelink, Robert G, Pasman, Wilrike J, Bongers, Anke, Tump, Anita, van Ginkel, Annemieke, Tromp, Wim, Wopereis, Suzan, Verlaan, Sjors, de Vogel-van den Bosch, Johan, Weijs, Peter J M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Accelerometers; Adults; Aged; Alfacalcidol; Anthropometry; Body Composition; Body weight loss; Calcifediol; Carbohydrates; Care and treatment; Dextrose; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetes therapy; Diet; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Double-Blind Method; Double-blind studies; Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; elderly; Energy; Enrichment; Exercise; Exercise intensity; Female; Glucose; Glucose tolerance; Glucose Tolerance Test; Glucose tolerance tests; Glycemic Control - methods; Health risks; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Interval training; Intervention; lean mass; Leucine; Life Style; Lifestyles; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Muscles; Nutrition research; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Older people; Overweight; Physical fitness; protein; Protein synthesis; Proteins; Sensitivity analysis; Statistical analysis; Type 2 diabetes; Vitamin D; Weight control; Weight Loss; Whey; Whey protein
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu13010064

Weight loss is key to treatment of older adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but also a risk for muscle mass loss. This study investigated whether a whey protein drink enriched with leucine and vitamin D could preserve muscle mass and improve glycemic control during combined lifestyle intervention in this population. 123 older adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes were randomized into a 13-week lifestyle intervention with dietary advice and exercise, receiving either the enriched protein drink (test) or an isocaloric control (control). Muscle mass was assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and glycemic control by oral glucose tolerance test. Statistical analyses were performed using a linear mixed model. There was a nonsignificant increase in leg muscle mass (+0.28 kg; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.56) and a significant increase in appendicular muscle mass (+0.36 kg; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.71) and total lean mass (+0.92 kg; 95% CI, 0.19 to 1.65) in test vs. control. Insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) also increased in test vs. control (+0.52; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.97). Use of an enriched protein drink during combined lifestyle intervention shows beneficial effects on muscle mass and glycemic control in older adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.