Health Effects of Milk Proteins in Elderly Subjects

Effect of Milk Proteins on Body Composition, Muscle Strength, Inflammation and Bone Health in Elderly Subjects

The aim of the present study is to investigate effects of milk on body composition and muscle strength, inflammation, appetite, DNA damage/repair and PBMC whole genome transcriptomics in elderly subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 70 years of age
• reduced gait speed or
• reduced "five times sit to stand test" or
• reduced "timed step stair test " or
• reduced grip strength
• Stable body weight (last 3 months)
• Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) score ≥ 17
• Mini-mental status (MMSE-NR) score: ≥ 24
• Willing to participate according to the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy/intolerance to milk/dairy products
• High intake of milk and yoghurt
• Physical active subjects
• Known diabetes type I or II, or HbA1c ≥ 6,5%
• Recent events of acute cardiovascular disease including stroke
• Rapidly evolving diseases (active malignancy) or history of cancer (malignant tumors) last 3 years.
• Severe inflammation-related diseases such as e.g. Crohn disease and arthritis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Increased blood pressure
• High intake of alcohol
• Reduced kidney function (GFR < 45 ml/min)
• Increased hsCRP, ASAT, ALAT
• Increased or suppressed TSH
• Hormone therapy
• Systemic use of glucocorticosteroids (anti-inflammatory steroid hormones). Use of spray and inhalator use is not exclusion.
• Disability preventing physical tests
• Using medications known to affect protein metabolism