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Dear Dr. Roach: I'm an 88-year-old male. I've been losing strength and muscle in my legs, which has caused me to need a walker. I'm currently in a physical therapy program twice a week, and I also do daily strengthening exercises at home.
I'd like your advice on trying a diet supplement of whey protein, hydroxymethylbutyrate, chromium and leucine. It's widely advertised on the internet with countless testimonials regarding its amazing success in restoring strength and endurance for elderly users. -- R.C.O.
Answer: I believe in evidence, not testimonials. There's good evidence that the elderly benefit from dietary protein when trying to build muscle, but you can do this by having an extra ounce of chicken or a few ounces of tofu, which have as much protein as a serving of the supplement.
The data on hydroxymethylbutyrate are mixed, while chromium isn't effective to help build muscle. You can save your money and choose a higher protein diet.
One supplement that I'd recommend much more than the one you're considering is creatine. There's abundant evidence that 5 grams of creatine a day, especially when taken before exercise (such as your physical therapy), can improve strength and functional performance better than exercise alone.
The whey protein supplement that you asked about is about $2 per day online, while creatine is about $0.50 per day -- even less if you buy bigger containers.
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