Plant or milk protein: which boosts muscle in seniors?
NCT ID NCT06403137
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looked at whether daily protein supplements (from plants or milk) can help healthy older adults build and maintain muscle, especially when combined with exercise. Fifty-one participants aged 60-80 received either a plant protein blend, milk protein, or a placebo, along with a controlled diet and some leg exercises. The goal was to measure muscle protein synthesis rates to see if these supplements offer a benefit over a standard diet alone.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- plant protein blend, milk protein supplement, maltodextrin supplement
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could show that plant-based protein supplements are a viable alternative to milk protein for supporting muscle maintenance in older adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study (51 participants) measuring short-term muscle protein synthesis, not long-term muscle mass or strength. Results may not apply to less healthy or younger populations.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Maastricht University Medical Center+
Maastricht, Limburg, 6229ER, Netherlands
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