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Effect of a 12-mo intervention with whey protein powder on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial.

  • 2025-02
  • The American journal of clinical nutrition 121(2)
    • Fengping Li
    • Ruikun He
    • Zhongbao Yue
    • Haoran Yi
    • Likang Lu
    • Longbang Zhang
    • Jiahui Shi
    • Chenchen Zheng
    • Jiayi Jiao
    • Jianying Peng
    • Benchao Li
    • Shuang Rong

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 107
Population
older adults with MCI
Methods
randomized controlled trial, 1:1 ratio, active intervention (whey protein powder, 15 g/d) or control (placebo, 15 g/d)
Duration
12 mo
  • Large Human Trial

Background

Our previous animal study revealed that supplementation with milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) alleviated Alzheimer's disease pathology in mice. We hypothesized that supplementation with whey protein powder rich in MFGM, taurine, and B vitamins would improve cognitive function in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objectives

We conducted a 12-mo randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of whey protein powder on cognitive function in older adults with MCI.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the active intervention group (whey protein powder, 15 g/d) or the control group (placebo, 15 g/d). We performed comprehensive cognitive function tests at baseline, 6 mo, and 12 mo. The primary outcome was global cognitive function determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes included other cognitive subdomains, and body composition. The data were analyzed using the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle.

Results

A total of 107 participants [mean (standard deviation) age 62.94 (4.33) y] were randomly assigned to the active intervention group (n = 53), or control group (n = 54). In the ITT analysis, the mean change in MoCA score at 12 mo was 3.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17, 4.30] in the active intervention group and 1.42 (95% CI: 0.36, 2.48) in the control group, with the mean difference between groups (group × time interaction) in change of MoCA score was 1.81 (95% CI: 0.32, 3.30). The modified ITT and per-protocol analyses showed similar results. The results also found a significant beneficial effect of the active intervention for several secondary cognitive outcomes such as Digit Symbol Substitution Test score, and the mean difference between groups in the ITT analysis was 2.72 (95% CI: 0.20, 5.23). Few side effects were reported during the study, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P = 0.74).

Conclusions

Supplementation with whey protein powder rich in MFGM, taurine, and B vitamins for 12 mo improve cognitive function in older adults with MCI. This trial was registered at the https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=150871 as ChiCTR2200062705.

Research Insights

  • Taurine→Improved Digit Symbol Substitution Test Score

    The results also found a significant beneficial effect of the active intervention for several secondary cognitive outcomes such as Digit Symbol Substitution Test score, and the mean difference between groups in the ITT analysis was 2.72 (95% CI: 0.20, 5.23).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    15 g/day
  • Taurine→Improved Global Cognitive Function

    the mean change in MoCA score at 12 mo was 3.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17, 4.30] in the active intervention group and 1.42 (95% CI: 0.36, 2.48) in the control group, with the mean difference between groups (group × time interaction) in change of MoCA score was 1.81 (95% CI: 0.32, 3.30).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    15 g/day
  • Whey Protein→Improved Digit Symbol Substitution Test Score

    The results also found a significant beneficial effect of the active intervention for several secondary cognitive outcomes such as Digit Symbol Substitution Test score, and the mean difference between groups in the ITT analysis was 2.72 (95% CI: 0.20, 5.23).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    15 g/day
  • Whey Protein→Improved Global Cognitive Function

    the mean change in MoCA score at 12 mo was 3.23 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17, 4.30] in the active intervention group and 1.42 (95% CI: 0.36, 2.48) in the control group, with the mean difference between groups (group × time interaction) in change of MoCA score was 1.81 (95% CI: 0.32, 3.30).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    15 g/day

Adverse Events Reported

  • Whey Protein→Overall tolerability

    Few side effects were reported during the study, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (P = 0.74).

    Finding
    Reported
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