Frailty-Preventing Effect of an Intervention Program Using a Novel Complete Nutritional "COMB-FP Meal": A Pilot Randomized Control Trial.

Takuo Nakazeko, Naohisa Shobako, Nobuhiko Shioya, Yoshitaka Iwama, Yukio Hirano, Shintaro Fujii, Futoshi Nakamura, Keiko Honda

Journal: Nutrients 2023;15(20):4317

PMID: 37892393

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Plain Language Summary

Frailty is a complex and diverse combination of diseases, including physical dysfunctions and psycho-social problems. The aim of this study was to compare a 12-week programme with an exclusive dietary intervention in determining the impact of meals related to frailty. This study was a 12-week, open-label, randomised controlled trial. A total of 288 participants were recruited: 110 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to the test (exercise and test food) or control (only exercise) group. Results showed that the 12-week intervention improved multiple outcomes related to frailty. There were significant improvements in both functional ability and cognitive function. Authors concluded that their findings indicate the important role of nutritional intervention in preventing frailty.

Abstract

Frailty is a huge concern for the aging population, and dietary nutrition is considered a key factor in the prevention of aging. To solve the problem of frailty in the aging population, we developed a novel dietary intervention program using a novel COMpletely Balanced for Frailty Prevention (COMB-FP) meal, based on the Dietary Reference Intake for Japanese; in addition, we conducted a pilot randomized control trial comparing an exercise program only (control group) with exercise plus the COMB-FP meal program (test group). We included 110 male and female healthy volunteers with pre-frailty or frailty; the trial lasted for 12 weeks. Two daily meals were replaced with the COMB-FP meals during the trial in the test group. Walking speed and cognitive function were significantly improved in the test group compared with the control group. We observed a similar pattern in other frailty-related outcomes, such as occupancy of the microbiome, World Health Organization well-being index (WHO-5), and oxidative stress. Our study might indicate the importance of a well-balanced intake of nutrients for frailty prevention.

Address: Future Food Research & Development Division, Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd., Tokyo 192-0001, Japan.; KSO Corporation, Tokyo 105-002, Japan.; Nihonbashi Cardiology Clinic, Tokyo 103-001, Japan.; Laboratory of Medicine Nutrition, Kagawa Nutrition University, Saitama 350-0214, Japan.

DOI: 10.3390/nu15204317