The Effects of Cow-Milk Protein Supplementation in Elderly Population: Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis

Nutrients. 2020 Aug 23;12(9):2548. doi: 10.3390/nu12092548.

Abstract

Background: To review currently available evidence on the effect of cow-milk proteins supplementation (CPS) on health in the elderly.

Methods: Five electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov) were searched for studies about CPS among older people. All types of publications were included, with the exception of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, opinion letters, editorials, case reports, conference abstracts and comments. An additional search in Google Scholar and a manual review of the reference lists were performed.

Results: Overall, 103 studies were included. Several studies explored the role of CPS in the preservation or improvement of muscle mass among healthy subjects (40 studies) and pre-frail, frail or sarcopenic patients (14), with evidence of beneficial effects. Other studies assessed the effect of CPS on bones (12), cardiovascular disease (8), inflamm-aging (7), chronic pulmonary disease (4), neurocognitive function (4), and vaccines (2), with weak evidence of positive effects. Seven studies in the field of protein metabolism investigated the role of CPS as an important contributor to nutritional needs. Other investigational areas are considered in the last five studies.

Conclusions: The beneficial effects of CPS in achieving aged-related nutritional goals, in preserving muscle mass and in recovering after hospitalization may be particularly relevant in the elderly.

Keywords: casein; muscle mass; nutrition; older people; sarcopenia; whey protein.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Frailty / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Milk
  • Milk Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Milk Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Sarcopenia / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Milk Proteins

Grants and funding