4g/day of Essential Aminoacids during breakfast + 1 mg/day of Melatonin 30 minutes before sleep. Packets of powdered amino acid supplements (42.0% leucine, 14.0% lysine, 10.5% valine, 10.5% isoleucine, 10.5% threonine, 7.0% phenylalanine, and 5.5% other) were provided for the participants to be taken with water or milk, and they were instructed to take the 4-gram supplement once a day every day for 4 weeks.

an isocaloric amount of maltodextrin with the same flavor and appearance as the intervention product

Serum proteins and albumin were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. They were reported as g/dl

Blood lipids (total cholesterol and triglycerides)were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. They were reported as mg/dl

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) was expressed in mg/dl.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was expressed in mm/hr.

glycemia was expressed in mg/dl

A mini nutritional assessment (MNA) was performed for all participants. The MNA uses 18 questions regarding simple measurements and a brief questionnaire involving an anthropometric assessment (weight, height and weight loss), a general assessment (lifestyle, medication and mobility), and a dietary assessment (number of meals, food and fluid intake, self-assessment of eating autonomy and self-perception of health and nutrition). Every answer give up to a maximum of 3 points. The sum of all points gives the total MNA. A maximum of 30 points can be achieved. A score of ≥ 24 points describes a well-nourished status. A score of 17 to 23.5 points indicates a risk of malnutrition, while less than 17 points indicates malnutrition.

A trained dietitian used a calibrated dietetic spring scale to weigh all foods served and returned for 3 consecutive days at the beginning and end of the study