Effect of a Nutrition Supplement Containing Fish Oil, Whey Protein, Vitamin D, and Resveratrol, on Muscular and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

The study is a population study and 6 month randomised control trial (RCT) of men and women aged 70 to 80. The supplement and placebo will be provided in the form of a small 200 mL sealed TetraPak carton and is presented in a highly-palatable, juice-based (pomegranate and apple) formulation. The study groups (n=25 per group) for the RCT are:

Control - a control group receiving a placebo nutrient support (200 mL juice; energy ~ 100 kcal per day)

Supplement - a nutrient group receiving a liquid nutrient support (quantity 200 mL per day; energy 200 kcal per day):

Carbohydrate 28.5 g Protein 8 g as Whey Protein Isolate (i) ω-3 PUFA (ii) 3000 mg, as DHA 1500mg, as EPA 1500mg Vitamin D3 (iii) 10 μg Resveratrol (iv) 150 mg

(i) Whey protein isolate - increasing protein intake in elderly individuals is widely proposed as key preventing the decline in muscle mass with aging, (ii) ω-3/EPA/DHA fatty acids - increasing ω-3 consumption is associated with improvements in inflammatory status, blood lipid profile and cognitive function in various populations (iii) A relative deficiency in vitamin D is widely reported in Western populations, whereas recent reports have suggested vitamin D3 supplementation as efficacious for muscle function, (iv) Resveratrol, a polyphenol derived from grape skin that shows promise as a supplement to improve muscle function, metabolic health, prevent wasting and promote longevity.