Abstract
We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to elucidate the effects of dietary milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults. For this 24-week study, 115 middle-aged subjects (range 50-70 years old) were invited, of whom 113 (seventy-two women, forty-one men) completed the trial. Participants were then divided into either the placebo control or MFGM group. Measurements of physical performance (without undertaking any mandatory exercise) examining muscle strength, agility and balance were tested every 6 weeks until 24 weeks. Analyses were performed using the intention-to-treat method for all participants. Although the effects of MFGM on muscle strength and agility were not significant, we noted that the parameter for balance (such as the ability to stand on one leg with eyes closed for longer durations) increased in the MFGM group (mean 10·1 (95 % CI 8·25, 12·4) s) compared with the placebo (mean 7·53 (95 % CI 6·11, 9·30) s) (P = 0·046). Similarly, application of the mixed-effect model for repeated measures under unstructured covariance also revealed that the effect of MFGM was significant when compared with the placebo (10·2 (95 % CI 8·33, 12·4) v. 7·61 (95 % CI 6·17, 9·30) s) (P = 0·045). In conclusion, we demonstrated that MFGM had an effect on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults despite mandatory exercise. However, studies using larger cohorts of individuals from different demographic backgrounds are required to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these effects and to extend the application of MFGM.
Highlights
We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to elucidate the effects of dietary milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults
Our group identified that the administration of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) mediated a unique and preferable effect on improving the physical performance in mice[10,11,12,13] and human subjects[14,15,16,17], which suggests an improvement in muscle mass and strength through the improved functions of neuromuscular junctions in aged individuals with regular exercise
MFGM secreted by the epithelial cells lining the alveolar lumen of the lactating mammary gland contains various enzymes, proteins and lipids, including sphingomyelin[15,18,19]
Summary
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to elucidate the effects of dietary milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) on the physical performance of community-dwelling Japanese adults. Our group identified that the administration of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) mediated a unique and preferable effect on improving the physical performance in mice[10,11,12,13] and human subjects[14,15,16,17], which suggests an improvement in muscle mass and strength through the improved functions of neuromuscular junctions in aged individuals with regular exercise. MFGM secreted by the epithelial cells lining the alveolar lumen of the lactating mammary gland contains various enzymes, proteins and lipids, including sphingomyelin[15,18,19] These preceding cohort studies strongly suggest an effect of MFGM on physical performance[14,15,16,17], all participants were required to exercise (intensity of 12–14 on the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion scale[20]) in addition to their normal physical activity. In order to elucidate the effects of only dietary MFGM, all participants were asked to maintain their normal diets and physical activities without any additional exercise throughout the study period
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