Nutrition studies suggest possible muscle benefits in older adults with cancer
Some protein trials reported improved body composition, but a varied evidence base leaves uncertainty about the size, consistency and practical meaning of the benefits.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Some randomized trials in this review reported improvements in lean body mass and skeletal muscle index with protein supplementation. However, the review combined varied approaches and study designs through a narrative summary. It does not establish that every nutritional intervention works, how large any benefit is, or which approach best helps older adults with cancer and sarcopenia.
The abstract provides no numerical treatment effects, follow-up durations or evidence-certainty ratings. Differences in study designs and outcomes also limit how confidently the reported improvements can be compared across nutritional approaches.
A broad mix of interventions
The studies tested supplements, nutrition counselling, tube feeding and combined approaches. Because study designs and outcome measures differed, the authors summarized the evidence narratively rather than reporting a single pooled treatment effect.
Different evidence, different conclusions
Dietary-pattern studies found associations with sarcopenia risk, while some randomized trials reported changes in body composition. The observational findings cannot show that a particular diet prevented sarcopenia, and muscle measurements alone do not demonstrate longer survival.
The original publication
What nutritional interventions can effectively treat sarcopenia in older adults with cancer? A systematic review.
Pattwell M, Gibbs M, Eochagáin CM et al.
J Geriatr Oncol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41564699
- Record checked
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