To assess the impact of a muscle-targeted nutritional therapy consisting of nutritional counseling and high-quality whey protein-based oral nutritional supplements enriched with leucine and vitamin D, on the recovery of post-COVID-19 patients
Other: Muscle-target oral nutritional supplementation
Patients will receive daily for 12 weeks two servings (40 grams each) of powder (Fortifit; Nutricia) which has to be dissolved in 125 ml of water. Per serving, 20 g whey protein, 3 g total leucine, 9 g carbohydrates, 3 g fat, and 800 IU vitamin D. Patients will be also followed for 12 weeks after the suspension of supplementation.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Sarcopenia (revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criteria)
- Recent discharge from hospital for COVID-19
- Informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any malignant disease during the last five years
- Known kidney failure (previous glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min);
- Known liver failure (Child B or C)
- Psychiatric disease
- Endocrine disorders associated with disorders of calcium metabolism (excluding
osteoporosis)
- Indications related to the study product:
More than 10 µg (400 IU) of daily Vitamin D intake from medical sources. More than 500 mg
of daily calcium intake from medical sources. Adherence to a high energy or high protein
diet up or use of protein containing or amino acid containing nutritional supplements up to
three months before starting the study.
- Known allergy to milk, milk products or other components of the proposed interventions
- Indication to or ongoing artificial nutrition support
- Inclusion in other nutrition intervention trials
- Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject to comply
with the protocol requirements
- Refusal
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo
Pavia, Italy