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European Journal of Nutrition

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Open Access 01-08-2020 | Sarcopenia | Review

The effect of protein and essential amino acid supplementation on muscle strength and performance in patients with chronic heart failure: a systematic review

Authors: Simon Nichols, Gordon McGregor, Abdallah Al-Mohammad, Ali N. Ali, Garry Tew, Alasdair F. O’Doherty

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

Purpose

Critically low skeletal muscle mass and strength, observed in 20% of people with chronic heart failure (CHF), reduces functional capacity, quality of life (QoL) and survival. Protein and essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation could be a viable treatment strategy to prevent declines in muscle strength and performance, and subsequently improve QoL and survival. This systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42018103649) aimed to assess the effect of dietary protein and/or EAA supplementation on muscle strength and performance in people with CHF.

Methods

Searches of PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase identified studies that reported changes in strength or muscle performance following protein and/or EAA supplementation in patients with CHF. Following PRISMA guidelines and using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria relating to participants, intervention, control, outcome and study design, two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full manuscripts for eligibility. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RCTs) or Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (cohort studies). Data were extracted for analysis using predefined criteria.

Results

Five randomised controlled trials (RCT) and one cohort study met our inclusion criteria. All RCTs had a high risk of bias. The methodological quality of the cohort study was moderate. Heterogeneity of extracted data prevented meta-analyses, qualitative synthesis was therefore performed. Data from 167 patients with CHF suggest that protein and/or EAA supplementation does not improve strength, but may increase six-minute walk test distance, muscle mass and QoL.

Conclusions

The limited quality of the studies makes firm conclusions difficult, however protein and/or EAA supplementation may improve important outcome measures related to sarcopenia. High-quality randomised controlled studies are needed.

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Title: The effect of protein and essential amino acid supplementation on muscle strength and performance in patients with chronic heart failure: a systematic review
Authors: Simon Nichols
Gordon McGregor
Abdallah Al-Mohammad
Ali N. Ali
Garry Tew
Alasdair F. O’Doherty
Publication date: 01-08-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Sarcopenia
Heart Failure
Chronic Heart Failure
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02108-z

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