Abstract
Fish protein represents one of the most widely consumed dietary protein sources by humans. The processing of material from the fishing industry generates substantial unexploited waste products, many of which possess high biological value. Protein hydrolysates, such as fish protein hydrolysates (FPH), containing predominantly di- and tripeptides, are more readily absorbed than free amino acids and intact protein. Furthermore, in animal models, FPH have been shown to possess numerous beneficial properties for cardiovascular, neurological, intestinal, renal, and immune health. Ageing is associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, as well as increased oxidative stress, compromised vascularisation, neurological derangements, and immunosenescence. Thus, there appears to be a potential application for FPH in older persons as a high-quality protein source that may also confer additional health benefits. Despite this, there remains a dearth of information concerning the impact of FPH on health outcomes in humans. The limited evidence from human interventional trials suggests that FPH may hold promise for supporting optimal body composition and maintaining gut integrity. FPH also provide a high-quality source of dietary protein without negatively impacting on subjective appetite perceptions or regulatory hormones. Further studies are needed to assess the impact and utility of FPH on skeletal muscle health in older persons, ideally comparing FPH to ‘established’ protein sources or a non-bioactive, nitrogen-matched control. In particular, the effects of acute and chronic FPH consumption on post-exercise aminoacidaemia, skeletal muscle protein synthesis, and intramyocellular anabolic signalling in older adults are worthy of investigation. FPH may represent beneficial and sustainable alternative sources of high-quality protein to support skeletal muscle health and anabolism in ageing, without compromising appetite and subsequent energy intake.
Highlights
Fish protein represents one of the most widely consumed dietary protein sources by humans, with global fish production peaking at around 171 million tonnes in 2016 [1]
Nobile et al [76] found that 90 days of fish protein hydrolysates (FPH) supplementation (1.4 g or 2.8 g) combined with a daily caloric deficit of 300 kcal decreased body weight, body mass index, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived fat mass, and waist, hip, and thigh circumference to a similar extent compared with a whey protein isolate control
It is inconclusive that the FPH had any impact on body composition as the observed changes are likely attributable to the caloric deficit achieved through alimentary diaries
Summary
Fish protein represents one of the most widely consumed dietary protein sources by humans, with global fish production peaking at around 171 million tonnes in 2016 [1]. Bioactive peptides released in the process of hydrolysation may possess desirable immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects [25,26,27,28] These beneficial properties have potential implications for older people, given that chronic inflammation [29], neurological derangements [30], compromised vascularisation [31], increased oxidative stress [32], alterations in the gut microbiome [33], impaired glucose homeostasis [34], and immunosenescence [35] are all linked with advancing age. The purposes of this review were to (1) explore the present evidence on the impact of fish-derived protein formulations in adult human interventional studies, and (2) investigate the current and potential applications of these formulations on skeletal muscle health and function in ageing
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