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Role of Leucine on Muscle Preservation During Weight Loss in Older Men
Sponsor: Nanyang Technological University
Summary
Overweight and obesity are part of a global health epidemic. However, older adults trying to lose weight face a dual challenge: first, muscle mass and strength naturally decline at an accelerating rate with age; second, effective weight loss diets like alternate-day fasting (ADF) are typically accompanied by significant muscle loss. Together, these factors can increase the risk of developing sarcopenia, a muscle disease characterized by critical losses in muscle mass and strength, especially when overweight or obese older adults try to lose weight through dieting alone. While high protein diets have often been advocated as a muscle preserving strategy when losing weight, recently, high leucine intake has been promoted for its critical role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis (MPS) with lower overall protein consumption, potentially reducing calorie intake while maintaining muscle during weight loss. Nonetheless, the effects of body mass-scaled protein and leucine intakes on muscular outcomes during weight loss remain uncertain. This study examines the effects of body mass-scaled protein and leucine supplementation on body composition during four weeks of ADF in older men.
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2022-11-14
Completion Date
2023-06-20
Last Updated
2026-08-24
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Placebo
Control (placebo supplements) 0.0 g/kg protein and 0.0 g/kg leucine supplementation per meal
Protein
Protein supplements: 0.4 g/kg protein and 0.04 g/kg leucine supplementation per meal
Leucine
Leucine supplementation: 0.0 g/kg protein and 0.08 g/kg leucine supplementation per meal
Locations (1)
Nanyang Technological University
Singapore, Singapore