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. 2023 Apr 23;15(9):2039. doi: 10.3390/nu15092039

Table 1.

Characteristics of the included studies.

No. Reference
(Localisation)		 Age [Years]
(Mean ± SD)		 Subjects/
Males (n)		 Health Care Setting Funding Intervention Daily Dose (g) Ingredients (Names) Comparator Duration
(Week)		 Conclusion
1. Bauer et al., 2015 [24]
(multicentre)		 77.71 ± 6.87 380/131 Out patient/
In patient		 Industry Leucine enriched whey protein and vitamin D 2 × 40 WP-MND (FortiFit, Nutricia N.V., The Netherlands) PBO 13 Whey protein intervention improves muscle mass and lower-extremity function in sarcopenic older adults
2. Bauer et al., 2020 [25]
(multicentre)		 77.71 ± 6.87 233/131 Out patient/
In patient		 Industry Leucine enriched whey protein, calcium, and vitamin D 2 × 21 WP-MND (FortiFit, Nutricia N.V., The Netherlands) PBO 13 No impact of whey protein intervention on kidney function deterioration or symptoms of vitamin D or calcium toxicity
3. Björkman et al., 2020 [26]
(Finland)		 83.64 ± 4.9 (P vs. C)
83.8 ± 4.32 (P vs. I)		 218/92 Out patients Academia/
Government
  • (1)

    Control with no supplementation

  • (2)

    Isocaloric placebo

  • (3)

    Whey protein All groups were given instructions on home-based exercise, dietary protein and vitamin D intake

 2 × 20 nd PBO 52 Whey protein intervention and low-intensity home-based physical exercise did not attenuate the deterioration of muscle and physical performance in sarcopenic older adults
4. Bo et al., 2019 [27]
(China)		 74.03 ± 6.29 60/27 nd Industry/
Academia		 Whey protein, vitamin D, and vitamin E 2 × 23 nd PBO 26 “Whey protein intervention significantly improves RSMI, muscle strength, and anabolic markers such as IGF-I and IL-2 in older adults with sarcopenia”
5. Hameed, 2018 [28]
(Iraq)		 77.71 ± 6.87 380/131 nd nd Leucine enriched whey protein and vitamin D 2 × 20 nd PBO 13 Whey protein intervention improves muscle mass and lower-extremity function in sarcopenic older adults
6. Hill et al., 2019 [29]
(multicentre)		 77.71 ± 6.87 302/131 Out patient/
In patient		 Industry Leucine enriched whey protein, calcium, and vitamin D 1 × 20 WP-MND (FortiFit, Nutricia N.V., The Netherlands) PBO 13 “Whey protein intervention improved 25(OH)D, suppressed PTH and had small but positive effects on BMD, indicative of improved bone health, in sarcopenic non-malnourished older adults”
7. Liberman et al., 2019 [30] (multicentre) 77.72 ± 6.82 288/128 Out patient/In patient Industry Leucine enriched whey protein and vitamin D 2 × 20 WP-MND (FortiFit, Nutricia N.V., The Netherlands) PBO 13 “Whey protein intervention may attenuate the progression of CLIP in older sarcopenic persons with mobility limitations”
8. Rondanelli et al., 2016 [31]
(Italy)		 80.51 ± 7.44 130/53 In patients Industry Whey protein, amino acids with leucine, and vitamin D
Regular controlled physical activity		 1 × 22 nd PBO 12 Whey protein intervention and age-appropriate exercise improve fat-free mass and strength in sarcopenic older adults
9. Rondanelli et al., 2020 [32]
(Italy)		 81.5 ± 6.11 127/43 In patients Industry/
Academia		 Leucine enriched whey protein and vitamin D;
Rehabilitation		 2 × 20 Fortifit®, Nutricia PBO From 4 to 8 Whey protein intervention improves physical performance, function, and muscle mass in sarcopenic older adults
10. Verlaan et al., 2018 [33]
(multicentre)		 77.73 ± 6.88 380/258 Out patient/
In patient		 Industry Leucine enriched whey protein and vitamin D 2 × 20 WP-MND (FortiFit, Nutricia N.V., The Netherlands) PBO 13 “Whey protein intervention increases muscle mass and improves lower-extremity function in sarcopenic older adults”

nd—no data; source: the authors’ own analysis, PBO—placebo Qualitative analysis.