Unveiling the potential of a whey protein- and leucine-enriched multi-nutrient formula high in vitamin D3: A scoping review on its role in enhancing body composition, strength, and physical function in sarcopenia

Abstract

Objective: Nutritional intervention studies have indicated that whey protein- and leucine-enriched multi-nutrient formulas high in vitamin D3 are optimal medical nutrition recipes for treating sarcopenia. The present study undertakes a scoping review of research on whey protein- and leucine-enriched multi-nutrient formulas high in vitamin D3 in older adults with sarcopenia to highlight the impact of feeding and feeding with exercise on body composition, strength, and physical function. Design: Online databases identified studies published from 2005-2023, for which we selected 11 English-language studies that experimented with a whey protein—and leucine-enriched multi-nutrient formula(e) high in vitamin D3 on measures of sarcopenia as the primary outcome variables in older adults diagnosed as sarcopenic. Results: Nine registered human clinical trials and two unregistered human clinical trials were included in the analysis. All studies included sarcopenic older adults ages 66.5 y to 86.5 y. Two intervention types were identified: nutrition only or nutrition + exercise rehabilitation. The nutritional interventions improved lean mass, strength, and physical function. Conclusion: There is evidence for the effectiveness of several types of whey protein- and leucine-enriched multi-nutrient formulas high in vitamin D3 in improving lean mass and physical performance in older adults recovering from sarcopenia. This is the first scoping review to show that specific formula(e) used with rehabilitation programs can alleviate sarcopenic obesity, support skeletal bone, and improve body composition, lean mass, and physical function with or without exercise (CRD42022342953).