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Protein-Enriched Nutrition Improves Body Composition in Aging Women: New RCT Shows Lean Mass Gains

  • Writer: PYD
    PYD
  • Mar 23
  • 2 min read

A new Korean RCT shows that protein-enriched oral nutritional supplements (ONS), fortified with BCAAs, improve lean body mass (LBM) and reduce fat mass (FM) in women aged 50–80. These findings position protein-enriched ONS as a promising intervention to delay age-related muscle loss and frailty in older females.



Insights & Strategic Moves:

• Clinical Evidence for Protein-Enriched ONS Strengthens:

A 12-week double-blind RCT involving 70 women aged 50–80 revealed that twice-daily protein-enriched ONS intake led to a +0.26% increase in lean body mass, compared to a −0.47% decline in the placebo group. The active ONS also reduced fat mass from 36.68% to 36.43%, while the placebo group experienced a rise from 38.15% to 38.67%.


• Active Formula Backed by BCAAs and Balanced Nutrition:

The tested ONS (Nucare Active, Daesang Wellife Corp) contained 15g protein and 2000mg BCAAs per pack, alongside balanced macros (23g carbs, 6g fat). In contrast, the placebo offered 1g protein and 33g carbs, lacking BCAAs. This formula differentiation was pivotal to the results.


• Body Composition Gains Independent of Exercise:

Participants maintained moderate physical activity levels throughout the trial, indicating that the changes in lean mass and fat mass were attributable to nutrition alone, not exercise variance.


• No Measurable Changes in Strength or Inflammation:

Despite gains in LBM, the study found no significant improvements in muscle strength, functional performance, or inflammatory markers, potentially due to the lack of concurrent physical activity intervention.


• Strategic Implications for Aging Population Nutrition:

With postmenopausal women experiencing accelerated muscle loss due to hormonal shifts, such ONS interventions present a targeted strategy for sarcopenia prevention and long-term muscle health maintenance.


Forward Outlook:

As aging populations grow across Asia and globally, protein-enriched ONS fortified with BCAAs could become a foundational category in preventive health. Strategic alignment with mobility support, fitness regimens, and D2C channels will be key to market penetration.


Protein-enriched ONS offer a compelling clinical and commercial opportunity to support aging women’s health by improving body composition—unlocking growth potential in both clinical nutrition and active aging markets.



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