Amino Acids Improve Muscle Mass Among Elderly

CHEVY CHASE, Md. A  supplemental beverage with the amino acids arginine, glutamine and leucine boosted muscle mass among the elderly, according to a new study presented at The Endocrine Society's annual meeting on June 18, 2013.

As reported by Newswise, the supplemental beverage Juven®, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories,  contains three amino acids for cell growth and repair, including arginine for increased growth-hormone production. Juven also contains arginine  and Revigor, a source of hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB), which is a metabolite of leucine. Previous studies showed Juven® helped increase muscle mass in AIDS and cancer patients, and investigators hypothesized that the increased muscle mass could result from greater blood concentrations of (insulin growth factor) IGF-1, a critical protein in the body. Therefore, increased protein levels could have the same benefits among the elderly, researchers predicted.

Participants who received Juven® had increased lean body mass and IGF-1 levels compared to the placebo group. However, the correlation between IGF-1 and increased lean tissue was not statistically significant.

There were 29 study participants between ages 65 and 87, and each received either Juven® or a placebo drink twice daily for six months. Researchers tested lean body mass and IGF-1 levels at the beginning and end of the study.

The amino acid cocktail of the dietary supplement Juven® appears to hold promise for increasing lean body in healthy older adults," said study lead author Amy C. Ellis, Ph.D. However, more research is needed to determine the cause-and-effect relationship and the mechanisms by which the amino acids in Juven® may favorably affect body composition of healthy, older adults."

Previous research shows consuming carbohydrates and amino acids can help fight muscle breakdown after exercise.