# The impact of a high-protein diet with strength training on the gastrointestinal microbiota in community-dwelling older adults: subanalysis of a randomized controlled trial

## TL;DR

This study found that a high-protein diet with strength training does not harm gut microbiota in older adults.

## Contribution

It is the first to show that increased dietary protein does not negatively affect gut microbiota in older adults.

## Key findings

- Increased protein intake up to 1.6 g/kg did not alter gut microbiota richness or diversity.
- Strength training combined with high-protein diet was well tolerated without adverse effects on gut microbiota.
- No significant changes in microbiota composition were observed between or within groups.

## Abstract

A balanced gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota is essential for healthy aging. Although high-protein diets and strength training are recommended for older adults to maintain muscle mass, their effects on GI microbiota remain unclear.

This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of a habitual diet with recommended protein intake or high protein intake combined with strength training on the GI microbiota of 112 community-dwelling adults aged 65–85 years. The participants were divided into three groups: no intervention control (CON), recommended protein intake plus strength training (RP + T), and high protein intake plus strength training (HP + T). Over 17 weeks, protein intake increased significantly from 0.80 (IQR: 0.30–0.50) g/kg body weight at baseline, reaching 1.07 ± 0.25 g/kg in RP + T, and 1.62 ± 0.37 g/kg in HP + T groups. Stool samples collected at baseline, after dietary intervention, and after combined dietary and training intervention were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Despite increased protein intake, microbiota richness, diversity, and composition showed no significant changes within or between groups. Residual energy and inflammatory markers indicated that higher protein intake was well tolerated.

The findings suggest that increasing protein intake via food sources up to 1.6 g/kg body weight for more than 4 months, with or without strength training, does not adversely affect the GI microbiota composition in older adults.