Hydrolysed whey protein / Maltodextrin powder

PurposeOsteoporosis has become a global public health concern making prevention and treatment essential to reduce severe consequences for individuals and health systems. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to determine the effects of combined protein and exercise interventions compared to (a) exercise alone and (b) protein alone on bone mineral content (BMC) or density (BMD) in middle-aged and older adults.MethodsWe systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus until 24th January 2023. Pairwise random-effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We evaluated risk of bias (Cochrane RoB2) and certainty of evidence (CoE; GRADE). If pooling was not possible, the results were summarized descriptively.ResultsFor the comparison of combined protein supplementation and exercise vs. exercise alone, no meta-analysis for BMD (2 RCTs) was possible. For BMC, little to no intervention effect was found (WMD 0.03 kg; 95% CI - 0.00 to 0.05; 4 RCTs; IG = 97/CG = 98; I2 = 58.4%). In a sensitivity analysis, restricted to combined milk-protein supplementation and exercise, the result remained similar (0.01 kg; 95% CI - 0.01 to 0.03; 4 RCTs; IG = 71/CG = 71; I2 = 0.0%; low CoE). For the comparison of combined protein and exercise interventions vs. protein alone, no RCT on BMC was identified; the results on total or regional BMD (2 RCTs) were inconclusive.ConclusionBased on our findings, no robust conclusions can be drawn on whether combining protein and exercise interventions is more beneficial for bone health than one component alone. Sufficiently powered studies with longer duration are required to clarify these questions (CRD42022334026).

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Background"Do it yourself" (DIY) food-based fortification involves adding fortificants into everyday foods. It is a flexible solution that allows older people with reduced appetite to meet their nutritional needs.ObjectivesThe aims of the systematic review are (a) to describe DIY fortified recipes, (b) to evaluate their acceptability, and (c) to evaluate whether they are effective levers to improve nutritional outcomes in older people.MethodsA systematic search of 3 databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, last searched on January 2022) was undertaken. Main eligibility criteria include older adults aged ≥60 years living at home, in an institution or in hospital. Studies carried out for a specific medical condition or targeting only micronutrient fortification were excluded. After reviewing all titles/abstracts then full-text papers, key data were extracted and synthesized narratively. The quality of included studies was assessed using Kmet et al.ResultsOf 21,493 papers extracted, 44 original studies were included (3,384 participants), with 31 reporting nutritional outcomes, 3 reporting acceptability outcomes and 10 reporting both nutritional and acceptability outcomes. The review highlighted a wide variety of DIY fortified recipes, with additional energy ranging from 23 to 850 kcal/d (M = 403; SE = 62) and/or protein ranging from 4 to 40 g/d (M = 19; SE = 2). Compared to a standard diet, DIY fortification seems to be a valuable strategy for increasing energy and protein intake in older people. However, no strong evidence was observed on the nutritional status.Implication for futureFurther acceptability studies are crucial to ensure that DIY fortified foods are palatable and thus have a significant impact on the nutritional status. In addition, it would be useful for studies to better describe DIY recipes. This information would result in a better understanding of the factors that maximize the impact of DIY fortification on nutritional outcomes. Study registration: PROSPERO no. CRD42021244689.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021244689.

Abstract licence: CC BY

IntroductionFermented whey-based products show significant potential as functional foods, owing to their rich nutritional profile and the generation of bioactive compounds during fermentation. This systematic narrative review evaluates the health effects of fermented-whey consumption based on evidence from human studies in adults.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases including, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for studies published between 1.1.1970 and 31.12.2024. All human clinical studies conducted with adults over 18 years old were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and clinical studies involving adults consuming fermented whey products. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using CADIMA software and standardized protocols. Studies identified by the search strategy and extracted data were screened independently by 2 reviewers using the CADIMA software. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool.ResultsAfter screening 1852 titles and abstracts and assessing 20 articles for eligibility, a total of 12 human intervention studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic narrative review. Consumption of fermented whey products was associated with improvements in muscle mass, glycemic control, lipid profiles (notably triglycerides and LDL cholesterol), immune function (e.g., increased natural killer cell activity), and reductions in oxidative stress and inflammation. Some studies also reported benefits for gastrointestinal and urinary tract health. The health effects were attributed to increased bioavailability of branched-chain amino acids, bioactive peptides, and microbial metabolites such as exopolysaccharides and short-chain fatty acids. Most interventions were well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported.ConclusionFermented whey products demonstrate promising health benefits across multiple physiological systems. While current evidence supports their use as functional food ingredients, further large-scale, long-term clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and elucidate mechanisms of action. Fermented whey appears to be a safe and versatile option for enhancing adult nutrition and health.

Abstract licence: CC BY

The potential beneficial effects of plant-based diets on human health have been extensively studied. However, the evidence regarding the health effects of extracted plant-based proteins as functional ingredients, other than soya, is scarce. The aim of this review was to compile evidence on the effects of extracted protein from a wide range of traditional and novel plant sources on glycemic responses, appetite, body weight, metabolic, cardiovascular and muscle health. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was conducted through 23 and 27 March 2020 for randomized controlled trials that featured any of the following 18 plant protein sources: alfalfa, duckweed, buckwheat, chickpea, fava bean, hemp, lentil, lupin, mushroom, oat, pea, potato, pumpkin, quinoa, rapeseed, rice, sacha inchi, sunflower. Only interventions that investigated concentrated, isolated or hydrolysed forms of dietary protein were included. Searched health outcome measures were: change in blood glucose, insulin, satiety hormones concentration, subjective assessment of appetite/satiety, change in blood lipids concentration, blood pressure, body weight and muscle health parameters. Acute and sub-chronic studies were considered for inclusion. Applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach we identified 1190 records. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Plant protein sources used in interventions were most often pea (n = 16), followed by lupin (n = 4), fava bean (n = 2), rice (n = 2), oat (n = 2), hemp (n = 2) and lentil (n = 1). Satiety and postprandial glycemic response were the most frequently reported health outcomes (n = 18), followed by blood lipids (n = 6), muscle health (n = 5), body weight (n = 5) and blood pressure (n = 4). No studies on the remaining plant proteins in the extracted form were identified through the search. Most studies confirmed the health-promoting effect of identified extracted plant protein sources across glycemic, appetite, cardiovascular and muscular outcomes when compared to baseline or non-protein control. However, the current evidence is still not sufficient to formulate explicit dietary recommendations. In general, the effects of plant protein were comparable (but not superior) to protein originating from animals. This is still a promising finding, suggesting that the desired health effects can be achieved with more sustainable, plant alternatives. More methodologically homogenous research is needed to formulate and validate evidence-based health claims for plant protein ingredients. The relevance of these findings are discussed for the food sector with supporting market trends.

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The aim of the report was to determine the effects of soy isoflavones on lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) in menopausal women. MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles published in English during 1995-2019. Studies were identified and reviewed for inclusion and exclusion eligibility. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated for each study and were pooled by using the random effects model. Eighteen randomized controlled trials were selected for meta-analysis. Different types of soy phytoestrogens, i.e., genistein extracts, soy isoflavones extracts, soy protein isolate, and foods containing diverse amounts of isoflavones were used in the studies. The analysis showed that daily intake of 106 (range, 40-300) mg of isoflavones for 6-24 months moderately but statistically significantly positively affects BMD, compared with controls: lumbar spine WMD = 1.63 (95% CI: 0.51 to 2.75)%, p = 0004; femoral neck WMD = 1.87 (95% CI: 0.14 to 3.60)%, p = 0.034; and total hip WMD = 0.39 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.69)%, p = 0.013. Subgroups analyses indicated that the varying effects of isoflavones on BMD across the trials might be associated with intervention duration, racial diversity (Caucasian, Asian), time after menopause, form of supplements (especially genistein), and dose of isoflavones. Our review and meta-analysis suggest that soy isoflavones are effective in slowing down bone loss after menopause.

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BackgroundSystematic investigation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) responses with or without protein ingestion has been largely limited to resistance training.ObjectiveThis systematic review determined the capacity for aerobic-based exercise or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to stimulate post-exercise rates of MPS and whether protein ingestion further significantly increases MPS compared with placebo.MethodsThree separate models analysed rates of either mixed, myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic, or mitochondrial protein synthesis (PS) following aerobic-based exercise or HIIT: Model 1 (n = 9 studies), no protein ingestion; Model 2 (n = 7 studies), peri-exercise protein ingestion with no placebo comparison; Model 3 (n = 14 studies), peri-exercise protein ingestion with placebo comparison.ResultsEight of nine studies and all seven studies in Models 1 and 2, respectively, demonstrated significant post-exercise increases in either mixed or a specific muscle protein pool. Model 3 observed significantly greater MPS responses with protein compared with placebo in either mixed or a specific muscle fraction in 7 of 14 studies. Seven studies showed no difference in MPS between protein and placebo, while three studies reported no significant increases in mitochondrial PS with protein compared with placebo.ConclusionMost studies reporting significant increases in MPS were confined to mixed and myofibrillar PS that may facilitate power generating capacity of working skeletal muscle with aerobic-based exercise and HIIT. Only three of eight studies demonstrated significant increases in mitochondrial PS post-exercise, with no further benefits of protein ingestion. This lack of change may be explained by the acute analysis window in most studies and apparent latency in exercise-induced stimulation of mitochondrial PS.

Abstract licence: CC BY