New Study Demonstrates Immunocal(R) Supplementation Increases Muscle Strength in Elderly Adults - Seite 2

Background, Design and Key Findings

This trial was initiated by Immunotec Inc. The clinical trial application to run the trial was approved by Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) - a division of Health Canada responsible for evaluating the safety, efficacy and quality of natural health products (NHPs).

This double-blind randomized controlled study recruited 99 sedentary non-frail elderly subjects aged between 65 and 88 years old, of which 76 were female and 23 male. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group consumed daily (20g) of a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) compared to daily (20g) casein-the control protein - over a period of 135 days (4.5 months). In addition, all subjects performed the same resistance training program 3 times per week over the 135 day period. Eighty-four (84) subjects completed the135 day study period. Of these, 67 subjects (34 in the Immunocal® group and 33 in the control group) complied and used at least 80% of the study product and completed at least 80% of their training sessions.

The key findings of the study showed increases in muscle strength in both groups after resistance training, however, significant additional increases were observed in muscle strength with addition of a cysteine rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein by approximately 10% when expressed in kg per kg body weight (BW) and in kg per kg lean body mass (LBM) (p <0.05), hence the potential impact to perform daily tasks.

About Immunocal^®

Immunocal^®, Immunotec's lead product is a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate, developed and marketed worldwide by Immunotec over the past 10 years. It secured Health Canada regulatory approval and a NPN (Natural Product Number) on November 11, 2007 for the health claim "Immunocal is a natural source of the glutathione precursor cysteine for the maintenance of a strong immune system".

About IRCM

The IRCM (www.ircm.qc.ca) is a renowned biomedical research institute located in the heart of Montréal's university district. Founded in 1967, it is currently comprised of 35 research units and four specialized research clinics (cholesterol, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and obesity, hypertension). The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and the IRCM Clinic is associated to the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). It also maintains a long-standing association with McGill University. The IRCM is funded by the Quebec ministry of Economy, Innovation and Export Trade (Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et des Exportations).