A six-month pilot study compared BCAA supplementation with soy protein intake to assess the effects of amino acid intake on physical (muscular) strength and mental health parameters.
BCAAs were reported to improve knee muscle strength, although there was no change in skeletal mass, and were associated with reduced depressive states by stimulating the production of tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin. Meanwhile, soy protein lowered serum low-density lipoprotein concentrations, leading to significant improvements in muscle strength.
writing in nutrientsthe authors comment: “The findings could be valuable in improving muscle function and managing comorbidities in older people with T2D.”
insufficient protein
Sarcopenia is characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance due to insufficient protein in the diet. These symptoms are exacerbated in patients with type 2 diabetes, in whom up to 20% have decreased knee extension strength and are at risk of an accelerated decline in inferior muscle strength, the authors explain.
“About 30 to 50% of older people living in the community consumed less than the recommended amount of protein, as did older people with diabetes. In addition, it is difficult for older people to change eating habits to achieve the recommended dietary protein intake.”they say
Stimulating protein synthesis through BCAA supplementation is the key to improving muscle function, as has been shown in a number of studies and therapeutic treatments; however, few studies have evaluated skeletal muscle outcomes in elderly patients with T2D.
Study protocol
Thirty-six elderly participants (65 to 80 years of age) with T2D were recruited from an outpatient clinic for the 24-week randomized study and assigned to the BCAA or soy protein (comparator) group.
The BCAA group consumed an amino acid supplement containing 4 g of leucine, 2 g of valine, and 2 g of isoleucine and 36 kilocalories (kcal) of energy. The soy protein formula contained 7.5 g of protein and 40 kcal of energy, although the Japanese manufacturer (Meiji Co.) did not disclose the amino acid content.
Participants were required to perform “full” aerobic exercise and resistance training at least three times per week, including stretching, two sets of 10 repetitions of thigh raises for each leg, and two sets of 10 squats.
A clinical research coordinator (CRC) was assigned to monitor supplement intake once a week and ensure compliance with the exercise program.
Primary outcomes considered changes in skeletal muscle mass, while secondary outcomes focused on knee muscle and grip strength, glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, neuropsychological performance, depression, and motivational states, tryptophan metabolites, renal function, and urinary albumin excretion (UAE).
Physical and mental results
Participants in the BCAA group”showed a trend” to increase knee extension muscle strength and this outcome was significantly improved after ingestion of soy protein. There was no improvement in skeletal muscle mass and no change in glycemic control or insulin resistance.
A remarkable but unexpected finding showed that BCAAs significantly reduced knee extension muscle endurance, possibly due to decreased responsiveness of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1a). ), despite increases in knee extension muscle strength, although there were no changes in endurance with soy protein.
“That is a novel finding in terms of amino acid or protein supplementation and skeletal muscle endurance in older people,” the status of the authors.
They add that “the cause of the divergent effects of BCAA or soy protein supplementation on knee extension strength and endurance remains to be elucidated.”.
BCAA supplementation significantly increased serum tryptophan levels and improved depressive symptoms. The researchers postulate that the supplements may have reduced serum kynurenine and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratios, inhibited kynurenine absorption, and/or increased glutamine or glutamic acid in the brain.
Finally, supplementation with any of the products was considered tolerable for the demographic group of participants (elderly patients with T2D).
Limitations
Study limitations include the absence of a control group, possible effects of COVID-19 on participants’ activity (although it was detected), noncompliance with unsupervised resistance training, and homogeneous groups, which may have affected outcomes. results.
However, the findings identified beneficial results with amino acid supplementation on muscle strength in elderly with T2D and demonstrated its safety in relation to insulin resistance and renal function.
Font: nutrients
http://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193917
‘Effects of branched-chain amino acids on skeletal muscle, glycemic control, and neuropsychological performance in older people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: an exploratory randomized controlled trial’
Takaaki Matsuda, Hiroaki Suzuki 1, Yoko Sugano 1, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Daisuke Yamanaka, Risa Araki, Naoya Yahagi, Motohiro Sekiya, Yasushi Kawakami, Yoshinori Osaki, Hitoshi Iwasaki, Koichi Hashimoto, Shin-Ichiro Takahashi, Yasushi Hada, and Hitoshi Shimano
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