As the global population ages, frailty and sarcopenia have emerged as pressing public health challenges due to their impact on functional decline and increased health care burden. This study assessed the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria–fermented whey protein (LAB-FWP) supplementation for improving physical function and nutritional markers in community-dwelling older Korean adults. A total of 45 individuals aged 65 years and older (body mass index 18.5–30) who had not used protein supplements in the prior 6 months were enrolled in a 10-week, randomized, blinded trial. Participants were assigned to either the intervention group (n = 22), which received 38 g/day of LAB-FWP, or the control group (n = 23), which received a taste- and texture-matched dextrin placebo. The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in physical performance, including an increase in electronic Short Physical Performance Battery (eSPPB) scores (P = .034) and hand grip strength (P = .043). Nutritional biomarkers also improved markedly: dietary vitamin D intake increased from 2.2 to 11.6 µg, calcium intake from 280.9 to 566.7 mg, and magnesium intake from 135.5 to 316.3 mg (all P < .001). Compared with controls, the intervention group showed greater gains in skeletal muscle mass index (Δ = 1.5, P = .004) and eSPPB scores (Δ = 1.4, P = .017). Regression analysis revealed that physical function was positively associated with improvements in nutrition. Daily supplementation with LAB-FWP led to clinically meaningful enhancements in both functional capacity and nutritional status, suggesting its potential as a practical strategy to mitigate age-related frailty and sarcopenia.
LamFC, KhanTM, FaidahH, et al.Effectiveness of whey protein supplements on the serum levels of amino acid, creatinine kinase and myoglobin of athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev2019;8(1):130; doi: 10.1186/s13643-019-1039-z
2.
CarterBG, FoegedingEA, DrakeMA. Invited review: Astringency in whey protein beverages. J Dairy Sci2020;103(7):5793–5804; doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-18303
3.
DaviesRW, CarsonBP, JakemanPM. The effect of whey protein supplementation on the temporal recovery of muscle function following resistance training: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients2018;10(2):221; doi: 10.3390/nu10020221
4.
WuH, DongJJ, DaiYQ, et al.Effects of lactic acid bacteria fermented yellow whey on the protein coagulation and isoflavones distribution in soymilk. Food Chem2021;334:127484; doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127484
5.
Sánchez-MoyaT, López-NicolásR, PlanesD, et al.In vitro modulation of gut microbiota by whey protein to preserve intestinal health. Food Funct2017;8(9):3053–3063; doi: 10.1039/c7fo00197e
6.
BauerJM, VerlaanS, BautmansI, et al.Effects of a vitamin D and leucine-enriched whey protein nutritional supplement on measures of sarcopenia in older adults, the PROVIDE study: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc2015;16(9):740–747; doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2015.05.021
7.
ChenLK, LiuLK, WooJ, et al.Sarcopenia in Asia: Consensus report of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. J Am Med Dir Assoc2014;15(2):95–101; doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.11.025
8.
MayhewAJ, AmogK, PhillipsS, et al.The prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults, an exploration of differences between studies and within definitions: A systematic review and meta-analyses. Age Ageing2019;48(1):48–56; doi: 10.1093/ageing/afy106
9.
KimD, OhK. Prevalence of sarcopenia in the Republic of Korea. Jugan Geongang Gwa Jilbyeong2024;17(24):1055–1067; doi: 10.56786/PHWR.2024.17.24.3
10.
ChoGY, BaeEJ, KimYH. Association between sarcopenia and health risk behaviors by age groups in Korean adults: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV to V. Korean Data Anal Soc2019;21(3):1523–1537; doi: 10.37727/jkdas.2019.21.3.1523
CheungLW. Special issue: Metabolic diseases and injuries of skeletal muscles: Current diagnosis, treatment and prevention. J Orthop Translat2022;35:A1–A2; doi: 10.1016/j.jot.2022.10.010
13.
TahavorgarA, VafaM, ShidfarF, et al.Whey protein preloads are more beneficial than soy protein preloads in regulating appetite, calorie intake, anthropometry, and body composition of overweight and obese men. Nutr Res2014;34(10):856–861; doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.08.015
14.
VolekJS, VolkBM, GómezAL, et al.Whey protein supplementation during resistance training augments lean body mass. J Am Coll Nutr2013;32(2):122–135; doi: 10.1080/07315724.2013.793580
15.
AdlerS, OlsenW, RackerbyB, et al.Effects of whey protein supplementation on inflammatory marker concentrations in older adults. Nutrients2023;15(18):4081; doi: 10.3390/nu15184081
16.
ParkY, ChoiJE, HwangHS. Protein supplementation improves muscle mass and physical performance in undernourished prefrail and frail elderly subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr2018;108(5):1026–1033; doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy214
17.
LauretaniF, TicinesiA, GiontiL, et al.Short-Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score is associated with falls in older outpatients. Aging Clin Exp Res2019;31(10):1435–1442; doi: 10.1007/s40520-018-1082-y
18.
CeredaE, PedrolliC, KlersyC, et al.Nutritional status in older persons according to healthcare setting: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence data using MNA®. Clin Nutr2016;35(6):1282–1290; doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.03.008
19.
Churchward-VenneTA, BreenL, Di DonatoDM, et al.Leucine supplementation of a low-protein mixed macronutrient beverage enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis in young men: A double-blind, randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr2014;99(2):276–286; doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.068775
20.
BurdNA, YangY, MooreDR, et al.Greater stimulation of myofibrillar protein synthesis with ingestion of whey protein isolate vs. micellar casein at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men. Br J Nutr2012;108(6):958–962; doi: 10.1017/S0007114511006271
21.
MortonRW, MurphyKT, McKellarSR, et al.A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. Br J Sports Med2018;52(6):376–384; doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608
22.
KimCH, JeonYB, YooDG, et al.Fermented whey protein supplementation improves muscular strength, muscle parameters, and physical performance in middle-aged Korean adults: An 8-week double-blind randomized controlled trial. Food Sci Anim Resour2023;43(3):512–530; doi: 10.5851/kosfa.2023.e14
23.
DevriesMC, McGloryC, BolsterDR, et al.Protein leucine content is a determinant of anabolic responses to supplementation in older adults. J Nutr2018;148:677–685; doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy029
24.
LiaoCD, ChenHC, HuangSW, et al.The role of muscle mass gain following protein supplementation plus exercise therapy in older adults with sarcopenia and frailty risks: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized trials. Nutrients2019;11(10):2420; doi: 10.3390/nu11081713
25.
RondanelliM, PernaS, GasparriC, et al.Effects of whey protein, leucine, and vitamin D supplementation on sarcopenia: A systematic review. Clin Interv Aging2020;15:645–660; doi: doi: 10.3390/nu15030521
26.
BauerJ, BioloG, CederholmT, et al.Evidence-based recommendations for optimal dietary protein intake in older people: A position paper from the PROT-AGE Study Group. J Am Med Dir Assoc2013;14(8):542–559; doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.05.021
27.
KobayashiH, OhtaY, UedaH, et al.The effects of a nutritional supplement containing whey protein, calcium, and vitamin D on bone metabolism in elderly Japanese women: A randomized controlled trial. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr2012;21:622–627; doi: 10.6133/apjcn.2012.21.4.09
28.
KimHK, SuzukiT, SaitoK, et al.Effects of exercise and amino acid supplementation on body composition and physical function in community-dwelling elderly Japanese sarcopenic women: A randomized controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc2012;60(1):16–23; doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03776.x
29.
TielandM, van de RestO, DirksML, et al.Protein supplementation improves physical performance in frail elderly people: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Med Dir Assoc2012;13(8):720–726; doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2012.07.005
30.
PenningsB, BoirieY, SendenJM, et al.Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. Am J Clin Nutr2011;93(5):997–1005; doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.008102
31.
DentE, MorleyJE, Cruz-JentoftAJ, et al.International Clinical Practice Guidelines for Sarcopenia (ICFSR): Screening, diagnosis and management. J Nutr Health Aging2018;22(10):1148–1161; doi: 10.1007/s12603-018-1139-9
32.
ShenY, ShiQ, NongK, et al.Exercise for sarcopenia in older people: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle2023;14(3):1199–1211; doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13225
