Background: A low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) concentration has been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), especially in older people. Our aim in this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D treatment on inflammatory markers in non-obese Lebanese patients with T2DM, living in Beirut, Lebanon. Methods: Non-Obese patients with T2DM (n = 88), deficient/insufficient in vitamin D, were randomly assigned into one of two groups—a treatment group receiving 30,000 IU cholecalciferol/week for a period of six months, and a placebo group. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were the primary outcomes. A homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was assessed, in addition to serum concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1C, (25(OH) D), and PTH. Results: The vitamin D group showed higher blood levels of (25(OH) D) (p < 0.0001), and a significant reduction in hs-CRP and TNF-α concentrations (p < 0.0001) compared to placebo. The decrease perceived in IL-6 concentrations was not significant (p = 0.1). No significant changes were seen in FBG (p = 0.9) and HbA1c levels (p = 0.85). Conclusion: Six months of vitamin D supplementation led to a decrease in some inflammatory markers in patients with T2DM. Additional studies with a larger sample and a longer period are advised in this regard. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrial.gov; Identifier number: NCT 03782805.

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a major age-related health condition characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance. Adequate protein intake is essential for maintaining muscle health, but the role of protein sources and particularly animal-to-plant protein ratio remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary protein sources, particularly animal–plant protein ratio, and low skeletal muscle mass among Lebanese older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 162 older adults aged >60 years using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess dietary protein intake. Protein sources were classified as animal- or plant-based. Skeletal muscle mass index was calculated as skeletal muscle mass/height², and cut-off thresholds for sarcopenia were set at 7.26 kg/m² for men and 5.45 kg/m² for women. Handgrip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were used to assess muscle strength and physical performance. Associations between protein intake, protein source, and low skeletal muscle mass were evaluated using appropriate statistical analyses. Results: Frequency of low skeletal muscle mass was 49.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher handgrip strength (aOR = 0.92), higher SPPB (aOR = 0.49) and higher intake of animal protein (aOR = 0.87) and plant protein (aOR = 0.88) were significantly associated with lower odds of low skeletal muscle mass. Conclusions: Higher intakes of both animal- and plant-source protein were associated with lower odds of low skeletal muscle mass among Lebanese older adults. Animal-source protein showed a somewhat stronger association than plant-source protein in the present analysis. However, because of the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations and do not establish causality. Longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to clarify whether dietary protein source contributes to changes in skeletal muscle mass and muscle function in older adults.

Background/Objectives: Sarcopenia is a major age-related health condition characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance. While adequate protein intake is essential for maintaining muscle health, the role of protein quality and the distribution of animal and plant protein sources remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary protein quality, particularly the distribution of animal and vegetable proteins, and the frequency of sarcopenia among Lebanese older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 162 older adults aged >60 years. Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) was used to assess dietary protein intake, and protein sources were classified as animal or plant-derived. Skeletal muscle mass index was calculated as skeletal muscle mass/ height 2, and the sarcopenia cut-off thresholds taken were 7.26 kg/m² for males and 5.45 kg/m² for females. Handgrip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were used to assess physical function and muscle performance. Associations between protein intake, protein source, and sarcopenia were evaluated using appropriate statistical analyses. Results: The frequency of sarcopenia was [49.4%]. Participants with sarcopenia demonstrated lower handgrip strength/muscle mass/physical performance compared with non-sarcopenic participants. A higher skeletal muscle mass percentage (aOR = 0.77), a higher SPPB (aOR = 0.51), and a higher animal (aOR = 0.84) and vegetable (aOR = 0.86) protein intake were significantly associated with lower odds of having sarcopenia. In addition, higher handgrip strength was significantly associated with more animal protein intake, whereas higher SPPB scores were significantly but weakly associated with the total, animal and vegetable protein intake. After adjustment for potential confounders, the observed associations remained statistically significant. Conclusion: In conclusion, both animal and plant proteins contribute to muscle health in older adults, with animal protein having a minor greater positive effect on muscle mass and muscle function. These results highlight the importance of considering protein sources, in addition to total protein intake, when developing nutritional strategies for the prevention and management of sarcopenia. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to establish causality.