TITLE:
A Prospective, Single Blind RCT to Assess the Acute Effect of Protein Rich Oral Nutritional Supplements on Serum Levels of Amino Acids in Healthy Indian Adults
AUTHORS:
Deepti Khanna, Hema S. Gopalan, Manoj Karwa, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Jaladhi Bhatt, Minakshi S. Singh, Surya Teja Reddy
KEYWORDS:
Oral Nutrition Supplements (ONS), Amino Acids, Branched Chain Amino Acids, Area Under Curve (AUC), Absorption Efficacy (Cmax)
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.16 No.8,
August
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: Indian diets are protein deficient. Our population is physiologically predisposed to lower muscle mass. There are many protein-rich oral nutrition supplements (P-ONSs) available to support this condition. A single-blind, randomized study was designed to evaluate the acute effect of two supplements: P-ONS1 and P-ONS2 on serum amino acid (AA) levels in healthy Indian adults. Twenty-four participants were randomized to receive either P-ONS1, P-ONS2 or energy matched placebo (control), all in milk. In this three-period crossover study, after a 7-day washout, the participants crossed over to the next supplementation arm. Blood samples were collected at 0-, 15-, 30-, 60- and 90-minutes post P-ONS/placebo consumption. Serum AA levels were estimated using LC-MS and outcome parameters of Cmax (maximum serum AA concentration) and Area Under curve (AUC) were analyzed. N = 23 participants completed the study. Cmax was observed to be significantly higher for total AAs (TAAs), essential AAs (EAAs) and branched chain AAs (BCAAs) for P-ONS1 (p = 0.0009, p = 0.0245 and p = 0.0009 respectively) and P-ONS2 (p = 0.0086, p = 0.0006 and p = 0.0009 respectively) versus placebo. Similarly, AUC for both P-ONS1 and P-ONS2 was significantly higher for TAAs, EAAs, BCAAs (p = 0.0305, p = 0.0133, p = 0.02 and p = 0.0163, p = 0.0017, p = 0.0007 respectively) versus placebo. This suggests significantly better absorption and bioavailability of amino acids in the serum post P-ONS1 and P-ONS2 consumption. No adverse events were reported. It may be concluded that such P-ONSs have a beneficial acute effect on serum AA levels. Long term consumption can improve quality and quantity of protein in Indian diets to support a better muscle health.