Fish protein supplementation in older nursing home residents: a randomised, double-blind, pilot study

Aslaug Drotningsvik,Ola Flesland,Ottar Nygård,Åge Oterhals,Oddrun A Gudbrandsen

doi:10.1186/s40814-019-0421-x

Abstract

BackgroundAge-related loss of muscle mass and function is common in older adults, and studies investigating if dietary proteins may protect and possibly build lean body mass are needed. We assessed the feasibility of conducting a nutritional intervention study in older nursing home residents to investigate the effects of fish protein supplementation on markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation.MethodsThis was a double-blind randomised controlled pilot study. Twenty-four nursing home residents, without major cognitive impairment, received a daily oral nutritional supplement containing 5.2 g of fish protein or placebo for 6 weeks. Anthropometric measurements were conducted at baseline. Participants were screened for nutritional risk using the Mini Nutritional Assessment and activities of daily living using the Barthel index and dietary intake was registered. Hand grip strength was measured and fasting blood samples collected at baseline and endpoint.ResultsCompliance was high and dropout was low, but participant recruitment was challenging. Serum concentrations of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 decreased, and C-reactive protein increased in the intervention group compared to control, with no changes in markers of glucose metabolism between groups.ConclusionConducting a nutritional intervention using fish protein supplementation in older nursing home residents is feasible but should be conducted as a multi-centre study to account for the low recruitment rate observed in the present study. A full-scale study is needed to gain more knowledge on the potential effects of fish proteins on markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation in relation to the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03529344 18.05.2018 (retrospectively registered)

Highlights

Age-related loss of muscle mass and function is common in older adults, and studies investigating if dietary proteins may protect and possibly build lean body mass are needed
Study design The study was designed as a double-blind, randomised, controlled pilot study investigating the effects of a daily supplementation of fish protein on markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation in older nursing home residents
Age, upper arm circumference, calf circumference, biceps and triceps skinfold thicknesses, activities of daily living (ADL) and Mini Nutritional Assessment form (MNA) scores, number of diagnoses and prescribed medications, energy intake and protein intake were similar between groups (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Age-related loss of muscle mass and function is common in older adults, and studies investigating if dietary proteins may protect and possibly build lean body mass are needed. Insulin resistance and inflammation are associated with low skeletal muscle mass in the older adult population [3,4,5,6], and both are considered major factors involved in the development of age-related loss of muscle mass and function [7]. Nutritional interventions have focused on providing optimal amounts of nutrients including proteins, but little is known about whether altering the type of dietary proteins could beneficially affect the development of age-related loss of muscle mass and function in older adults. Clinical studies show lower fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations in overweight or obese adults after fish protein intake [18] and improved insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant adults after lean fish intake [19]. Fish proteins could have a beneficial effect on muscle preservation

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion