Project Rationale:
Taiwan entered an aging society in 2018 and is expected to transition into a super-aged
society by 2025. With the increasing elderly population, age-related diseases pose urgent
challenges to modern society. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's National
Health Statistics in 2018, the prevalence of sarcopenia in Taiwan among individuals aged 65
and older is 23.6% for males and 18.6% for females. Sarcopenia, characterized by the loss of
skeletal muscle mass due to aging, coupled with decreased muscle strength and/or reduced
physical performance, poses a significant risk for disability, decreased quality of life, and
increased mortality.
Existing research indicates that appropriate nutrition and exercise can slow the onset of
sarcopenia and even increase muscle mass to reverse its effects. This study is an
interventional clinical trial recruiting middle-aged and elderly patients with sarcopenia or
pre-sarcopenia. The intervention involves a combination of branched-chain amino acids and
medium-chain triglyceride products, and the study aims to assess the effectiveness of this
intervention for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Project Objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of branched-chain amino acids combined with medium-chain
triglyceride products as an intervention for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly
individuals.
Methods:
The study cohort will be recruited from National Taiwan University Hospital, targeting
individuals aged 50 and above with sarcopenia or pre-sarcopenia. Randomized double-blind
allocation will divide participants into intervention and control groups, with each group
recruiting 40 subjects (80 participants in total). The intervention group will receive a
daily supplement of branched-chain amino acids combined with medium-chain triglycerides,
while the control group will be given maltodextrin of the same packaging and quantity as a
placebo.
The study will assess various physiological parameters and functional fitness items,
conducting the same tests after an 8-week period to evaluate the effectiveness of
branched-chain amino acids combined with medium-chain triglyceride products for sarcopenia
intervention in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Expected Outcomes:
Confirmation of the efficacy of nutritional supplements primarily consisting of
branched-chain amino acids and medium-chain triglycerides in intervening in muscle loss and
promoting daily life functionality in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Enhanced understanding of the etiology, diagnosis, and assessment methods of sarcopenia among
participating staff.
The study anticipates no patent or other commercial interests. If there are any research
developments, they will be owned by National Taiwan University Hospital, with potential
applications such as publishing academic papers or technology transfer in the future.