# Sex‐Specific Associations Between Prebiotic Supplement Intake and Sarcopenia Risk: Evidence From NHANES

## TL;DR

This study finds that prebiotic intake is linked to a lower risk of sarcopenia in women, but not in men, based on U.S. health survey data.

## Contribution

The study reveals a sex-specific protective effect of prebiotic consumption against sarcopenia in women.

## Key findings

- Female prebiotic consumers had significantly lower odds of sarcopenia (OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05–0.32).
- No significant association was found between prebiotic intake and sarcopenia in males.
- Findings suggest sex-specific benefits of prebiotics for muscle health.

## Abstract

Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, poses a significant public health challenge. This study explores the sex‐specific associations between prebiotic intake and the risk of sarcopenia, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2014. Adult participants provided information on their prebiotic consumption and sarcopenia status, which was defined according to the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) criteria, focusing on grip strength and appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body mass index (BMI). The analysis identified 4306 individuals as nonconsumers of prebiotics, whereas 157 were identified as consumers. The results showed an inverse association between prebiotic intake and the risk of sarcopenia among females, with an odds ratio of 0.11 (95% CI: 0.05–0.32, p = 0.01). In contrast, no significant association was observed in males. These findings suggest that prebiotic consumption may be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of sarcopenia among adult women, highlighting the need for further research to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

The study found that prebiotic intake is significantly associated with a reduced risk of sarcopenia in adult women but not in men, based on data from NHANES 2011–2014 using FNIH criteria. After adjusting for multiple confounders, female prebiotic consumers had lower odds of sarcopenia, while no significant association was observed in males. These results suggest potential sex‐specific benefits of prebiotic consumption for muscle health and highlight the need for further research on underlying mechanisms.