Additional Proteins Aid in Muscle Protein Synthesis for Geriatrics

We've known for some time that extra protein for our geriatric clients can help them add some extra lean muscle mass. For physical therapy, more lean muscle mass means better balance, less falls, and greater lifespan. Despite this, the FDA still calls for the standard 0.8g/kg/bw for protein for older adults. Does more protein really help actual muscle protein synthesis? Also, does the protein source matter? I have many clients taking collagen right now, assuming they are getting added joint benefits plus extra protein for the muscles -- but does it help?

We explore these topics and more in our recent video.

The transcript of the video is below. Enjoy!

Transcript:

 (0:00) Good morning everyone, this is Dr. Wells from Nutritional Physical Therapy. Hope you're having (0:04) a great day. I'm talking today about the effects of whey p collagen protein supplementation beyond (0:12) the RDA for older adults, specifically older men.

This is a randomized controlled trial (0:19) published by McKendry et al. in the American Clinical Journal of Nutrition. Interestingly, (0:26) the sample size was about 31 patients, and when we looked at comparing basically (0:33) older adults that were on your standard RDA for protein, which is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body (0:41) weight, what they did is they took these patients in from day one to day seven, that first week, (0:47) and put them on a controlled diet.

After that, they then for day eight to day 15, (0:53) they put them on 50 grams of protein, basically two doses of 25 grams in the morning and then (1:00) in the afternoon, and then they later biopsied and then used deuterated water. Basically, (1:05) it's like a radioactive type of water that allows them to track and see how much protein (1:10) is being stored where, and look at basically something called muscle protein synthesis. (1:15) At the end, what they saw was both groups that received whey and pea protein saw significant (1:23) increases in muscle protein synthesis.

Meanwhile, in the collagen group, they did not see any (1:29) improvement in muscle protein synthesis. So, interestingly, I know it's been trendy lately to (1:35) supplement with collagen and, you know, not only for joint protection and things, but maybe there's (1:40) some sort of benefit with muscle protein synthesis. This early, smaller randomized (1:45) trial shows that collagen may not be sufficient for older adults to stimulate muscle protein (1:50) synthesis.

The authors really cite that the, you know, the source of that protein is important. (1:55) When you compare the whey to the pea protein, the muscle protein synthesis was exactly the same. So, (2:01) at the end of the day, the authors suggested as getting that protein in the amount of protein in, (2:08) and most likely also spacing that protein out, right? So, most subjects were eating most of the (2:14) protein at night.

So, having some in the morning, some at lunch, some at dinner, and getting that (2:18) target throughout the entire day was important. So, anyway, I hope you enjoyed this. There's (2:23) more to come.

In the meantime, check out our courses for physical therapists in the link below. (2:29) They're board approved and research-based, just like these podcasts. Have a great day.

Bye.

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