An Update on Protein, Leucine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Vitamin D in the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia and Functional Decline
Nutrients 2018, 10(8), 1099; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081099
Anne-Julie Tessier 1,2 and Stéphanie Chevalier 1,2,3, stephanie.chevalier at mcgill.ca
1 School of Human Nutrition, McGill U., 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
2 Research Institute of the McGill U. Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
3 Department of Medicine, McGill U., 845 Sherbrooke St. W, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
Received: 22 July 2018 / Revised: 9 August 2018 / Accepted: 14 August 2018 / Published: 16 August 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Intake and Musculoskeletal Health)
This study documents trials using various combinations to succesfully decrease Sarcopenia
Their hypothesis is that using all 5 elements will synergistically treat Sarcopenia
- Postmenopausal women need Vitamin D, protein and exercise to prevent loss of muscle and bone – Aug 2018
- In the same Special Issue as the study on this page
- Sarcopenia (muscle loss) and Vitamin D - many studies
Items in both categories Seniors and Sports are listed here:
- Too little vitamin D does not help (muscle mass in this case) – meta-analysis Jan 2021
- Sarcopenia (muscle loss) is 1.6X more likely if poor Vitamin D receptor – July 2020
- Less muscle loss associated with eating more fish (Omega-3, Vitamin D, Magnesium, etc) – Jan 2020
- My balance significantly improved at age 73 (perhaps Vitamin D, B12, or Omega-3) – Jan 2020
- Reduced muscle function in mice lacking Vitamin D Receptors in muscles – June 2019
- Muscles of senior women not helped by just vitamin D (also need exercise) – Aug 2019
- Muscle loss (sarcopenia) may be both prevented and treated by Omega-3 – Feb 2019
- Exercise plus vitamin D increases elderly muscles (Nordic walking in this case) – RCT Sept 2018
- Dietary Protein, Muscle and Physical Function in the Very Old – July 2018
- Postmenopausal women need Vitamin D, protein and exercise to prevent loss of muscle and bone – Aug 2018
- Sarcopenia reduction: Protein, Leucine, Omega-3, Vitamin D, and exercise - hypothesis Aug 2018
- Disability was 1.9 X more likely if weak muscles and low vitamin D two years before – Aug 2018
- Muscle problems are both treated and avoided by Vitamin D – April 2018
- Sarcopenia does not officially exist in Australia, but 1 in 3 of their seniors have it - July 2018
- Nordic Walking and 4,000 IU of vitamin D lowered cholesterol, fat, weight, and lipids (senior women) – RCT Feb 2018
- Overweight senior women with low vitamin D were 12X more likely to be weak – Feb 2018
- Seniors gained 0.3 kg of muscle in 6 weeks with 800 IU and Leucine protein – Aug 2017
- Resistance exercise combined with Vitamin D is great for seniors – meta-analysis July 2017
- Fast twitch muscles increased by Vitamin D in athletes and seniors (reduce falling) – Oct 2016
- Sarcopenia: Nutrition and physical activity – systematic review – Jan 2017
- More fast twitch muscles (IIA) are associated with higher levels of Vitamin D – Feb 2017
- Muscle strength of senior women increased 25 percent with vitamin D, decreased 6 percent with placebo – Oct 2016
- Senior muscles increased somewhat with Omega-3 – RCT July 2015
- Improved muscle function in postmenopausal women with just 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily – RCT May 2015
- Vitamin D supplementation help muscles of seniors who are vitamin D deficient – meta-analysis July 2014
- Elderly lower limb muscle strength improved with Vitamin D supplementation - Meta-analysis Oct 2013
- Low Vitamin D breaks down muscle by interferring with protein - Editorial Nov 2013
- Physical performance of seniors increases with vitamin D up to 30 ng – Jan 2013
- Activity and being outdoors helps seniors – GPS and Vitamin D Dec 2012
- Type 2 muscles, not all muscles, get benefit from Vitamin D - Dec 2012
- Sarcopenia (muscle loss) and Vitamin D
- Senior women more physically able if vitamin D higher than 30 ng – Sept 2011
- Seniors with more than 20 ng of vitamin D were 14 percent stronger – May 2011
- Vitamin D2 intervention increased elderly muscle strength – Nov 2010
- Vitamin D improves muscle strength if deficient – meta-analysis - Oct 2010
Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki
Aging is associated with sarcopenia and functional decline, leading to frailty and disability. As a modifiable risk factor, nutrition may represent a target for preventing or postponing the onset of these geriatric conditions. Among nutrients, high-quality protein, leucine, vitamin D, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) are of particular interest for their demonstrated effects on skeletal muscle health. This narrative review aims to examine the recent observational and interventional evidence on the associations and the role of these nutrients in the muscle mass, strength, mobility, and physical function of free-living older adults, who are either healthy or at risk of frailty. Recent evidence supports a higher protein intake recommendation of 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day in healthy older adults; an evenly distributed mealtime protein intake or minimal protein per meal may be beneficial. In addition, vitamin D supplementation of 800–1000 IU, particularly when vitamin D status is low, and doses of ~3 g/day of n-3 PUFA may be favorable for physical function, muscle mass, and strength. Reviewed studies are highly heterogenous, yet the quantity, quality, and timing of intakes should be considered when designing intervention studies. Combined protein, leucine, vitamin D, and n-3 PUFA supplements may convey added benefits and may represent an intervention strategy in the prevention of sarcopenia and functional decline.