Researchers studied 46 older adults with stomach cancer who were getting chemotherapy before surgery. Half the patients drank high-protein supplements daily while the other half received standard nutrition care. After 8 weeks, those drinking the protein supplements had much better nutrition scores and were less likely to be malnourished. While both groups experienced typical cancer treatment side effects like fatigue and emotional challenges, the protein drink group maintained better overall nutrition status throughout their treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether daily protein drinks could help older stomach cancer patients stay better nourished during chemotherapy treatment
  • Who participated: 46 people aged 65 and older who were newly diagnosed with stomach cancer and about to start chemotherapy
  • Key finding: Only 4% of patients drinking protein supplements became malnourished compared to 17% of those getting standard care alone
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult facing cancer treatment, protein supplements may help maintain your nutrition, but discuss with your medical team first

The Research Details

This was a well-designed study where researchers randomly divided 46 older stomach cancer patients into two equal groups. One group received high-protein drink supplements along with standard nutrition advice, while the other group only got standard nutrition care. The researchers followed both groups for 8 weeks during their chemotherapy treatment, measuring their nutrition status, physical abilities, and quality of life at the beginning and end of the study period.

Random assignment helps ensure that any differences between groups are due to the protein supplements, not other factors. The 8-week timeframe covers a critical period when chemotherapy often causes nutrition problems.

The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov and used validated measurement tools. However, with only 46 participants, the results need confirmation in larger studies before making broad recommendations.

What the Results Show

The protein supplement group showed remarkable improvements in nutrition scores after 8 weeks of treatment. Their risk of malnutrition dropped to just 4.3%, while 17.4% of the standard care group became malnourished. The supplement group also consumed significantly more calories and protein daily than the control group. Both groups experienced the expected challenges of cancer treatment, including increased fatigue and declining emotional well-being, which are common during chemotherapy.

Physical abilities like daily living activities remained stable in both groups during treatment. However, the group without protein supplements experienced significantly worse constipation by week 8. Body composition measurements showed no major differences between groups, suggesting the benefits were more about overall nutrition status than muscle mass changes.

These findings align with other research showing that nutrition support can help cancer patients maintain better nutrition status during treatment. This study specifically focused on older adults, who are at higher risk for nutrition problems during cancer care.

The study was relatively small with only 46 participants and lasted just 8 weeks. Longer studies are needed to understand if these nutrition benefits translate into better treatment outcomes or recovery. The study also focused specifically on stomach cancer patients, so results may not apply to other cancer types.

The Bottom Line

Older adults undergoing cancer treatment may benefit from high-protein supplements to maintain nutrition status. However, any nutrition changes should be discussed with your oncology team first, as individual needs vary greatly during cancer treatment.

This research is most relevant for older adults (65+) facing stomach cancer treatment, their caregivers, and healthcare teams. The findings may also interest older adults with other cancer types, though more research is needed.

Nutrition improvements were seen within 8 weeks of starting protein supplements. Benefits likely begin within the first few weeks of consistent use during treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily protein intake grams and overall nutrition assessment scores if undergoing cancer treatment
  • Consider adding a daily high-protein supplement to your routine if you’re an older adult facing cancer treatment, with medical team approval
  • Monitor weekly nutrition status, energy levels, and treatment side effects while tracking supplement compliance and dietary intake

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult with your oncologist or registered dietitian before making nutrition changes during cancer treatment, as individual needs vary significantly.