Twelve-week combined arginine and fish oil supplementation is associated with reduced sarcopenia severity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, posing a major public health concern due to its link to various negative health outcomes. While supplementation with arginine or fish oil has shown potential in reducing muscle loss and functional decline, the combined effects of arginine and fish oil supplementation in sarcopenia remain largely unexplored. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of combining arginine and fish oil supplements on muscle strength, physical performance, body composition, and inflammation markers in older adults with sarcopenia. Methods: A 12-week randomized clinical trial was conducted from December 2023 to October 2024 with 29 older adults diagnosed with sarcopenia. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received arginine (14 g/day) and fish oil (6 g/day), or the control group, which received a placebo. The main outcomes measured were handgrip strength, gait speed, 5-time chair stand test, and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Secondary outcomes included inflammatory markers, nutritional status, blood lipid levels, frailty, physical activity, and sleep quality. Statistical analyses involved multiple comparisons to evaluate differences between the groups. Results: At the end of the 12-week trial, gait speed significantly increased in the Arg + fish oil groups ( Conclusion: Supplementing with both arginine and fish oil significantly boosted muscle strength, physical performance, and reduced levels of inflammation in older adults with sarcopenia. These initial findings suggest that this approach could be a potential strategy for managing sarcopenia by improving muscle function and lowering systemic inflammation.