Is Whey Protein Beneficial for Malnutrition in the Elderly?

Whey protein is a natural protein supplement derived from milk and is frequently used for the maintenance of lean muscle mass and the management of malnutrition in the elderly.

Malnutrition, both undernutrition, and obesity are becoming more common in older men and women.

This can result in a significant loss of mobility and a poor quality of life. Therefore, it is important for the elderly to restore skeletal muscle mass and function with the help of supplements.

Consuming whey protein is a convenient and effective way for them to meet their daily protein needs.

However, the effect of whey protein on energy intake and gastrointestinal mechanisms is not well understood in older men and women.

What have studies shown in this regard?

Previous studies have shown that administration of oral whey protein loads suppressed subsequent energy intake by 12-17% in young people while having no suppression in healthy older men.

A new study on the effects of whey protein on malnutrition in the elderly.

A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the effects of whey protein on malnutrition in the elderly. Specifically, the study looked at whey protein’s effects on energy intake, appetite, gastric emptying, and gut hormones in the elderly.

The study included eight men and eight women with an average age of 72 years and an average BMI of 25kg/m². Each participant was given two oral whey-protein loads of 30 g (120kcal) and 70g (280kcal) and a flavored-water control drink.

Let’s take a look at the study details

They were then studied on three occasions separated by three to 14 days. The effects of whey-protein loads were determined on energy intake, gastric emptying, perceptions of appetite, and gastrointestinal hormones [e.g. ghrelin, cholecystokinin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/gastric inhibiting polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like polypeptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY)].

Participants were given a standardized evening meal on the night before each study day. On the study day, the participants ingested the drink and their total gastric volume, perceptions of appetite, and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured before ingesting the drink, immediately after, and at 15-minute intervals until 180 minutes.

At 180 minutes, each participant was asked to consume a buffet-style meal until they were comfortably full. The amount that was eaten at the buffet meal was calculated by weighing the food before and after consumption and energy intake (kilocalories) was calculated using a software program. Researchers withdrew blood to measure the plasma concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones.

What results were obtained from this study?

The results showed that energy intake at the buffet meal was approximately 80% higher in older men than in women. However, the consumption of protein drinks or control did not significantly suppress the energy intake at the buffet meal.

1. A dose-dependent effect of the protein load was observed on the total energy intake in both men and women (control: 843+77 kcal; 30 g protein: 923+ 75 kcal; and 70g protein: 1073 + 78 kcal).
2. There was found to be a dose-dependent effect of whey-protein load to slow gastric emptying, with no difference in the rate of gastric emptying between men and women.
3. In addition, the protein load caused an increase in the plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon, ghrelin, cholecystokinin, GIP. GLP-1, and PYY. However, the effects of protein load on hunger, desire to eat, fullness, nausea, and bloating were not significant.
4. Clearly, the protein drinks did not suppress subsequent food intake in older men and women.
5. As a result, there was a dose-dependent increase in total energy intake (preload drink plus subsequent meal) in both men and women compared with that of the control drink.

These results indicate that protein doses sufficient to cause protein muscle deposition can be safely consumed by the elderly without a loss of appetite or a decrease in overall energy intake.

This study has some limitations

1. The number of participants was very small which may have underpowered the study.
2. The energy intake was assessed only 3 hours after protein intake and not during the rest of the study day.
3. Older women usually have lower energy requirements than older men but the study design allowed the drinks to be isocaloric for both men and women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the consumption of whey-protein drinks for the management of malnutrition in the elderly has no effect on the subsequent energy intake 3 hours after consumption.

Therefore, an increase in total energy intake is achieved by the consumption of whey-protein drinks.

This suggests whey-protein drinks are a good choice for elderly individuals who need to pay extra attention to their protein requirements.