Have any supplements been studied for frailty?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    On their own, protein[1], Vitamin D[2], and DHEA[3], show no effect on frailty status. One study found that milk fat globule membrane supplementation in combination with exercise improved frailty status.[4] A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that a combination of protein supplementation and exercise can also mitigate the physical aspects of frailty.[5]

    References

    1. ^Oktaviana J, Zanker J, Vogrin S, Duque GThe effect of protein supplements on functional frailty in older persons: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Arch Gerontol Geriatr.(2020)
    2. ^Cai Y, Wanigatunga AA, Mitchell CM, Urbanek JK, Miller ER, Juraschek SP, Michos ED, Kalyani RR, Roth DL, Appel LJ, Schrack JAThe effects of vitamin D supplementation on frailty in older adults at risk for falls.BMC Geriatr.(2022-Apr-10)
    3. ^Muller M, van den Beld AW, van der Schouw YT, Grobbee DE, Lamberts SWEffects of dehydroepiandrosterone and atamestane supplementation on frailty in elderly menJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Oct)
    4. ^Hunkyung Kim, Takao Suzuki, Miji Kim, Narumi Kojima, Noriyasu Ota, Akira Shimotoyodome, Tadashi Hase, Erika Hosoi, Hideyo YoshidaEffects of exercise and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation on body composition, physical function, and hematological parameters in community-dwelling frail Japanese women: a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled, follow-up trialPLoS One.(2015 Feb 6)
    5. ^Liao CD, Lee PH, Hsiao DJ, Huang SW, Tsauo JY, Chen HC, Liou THEffects of Protein Supplementation Combined with Exercise Intervention on Frailty Indices, Body Composition, and Physical Function in Frail Older Adults.Nutrients.(2018-Dec-04)