Nutritional supplementation in hip fracture sarcopenic patients: A narrative review

In light of the progressive aging of the population the number of hip fractures is expected to be higher with resulting increased mortality, disability and medical costs. Nutritional interventions and supplementation in hip fractured patients, and in particular in sarcopenic ones, might have a positive effect, but the few evidences in literature and the heterogeneity of the studies make a controversial topic in the aging research field. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the state of the art regarding the role of nutritional supplementation in hip fracture sarcopenic patients. Several studies provide evidences about the positive role of adequate nutritional approaches and supplementation, in particular with amino acids regarding safety and muscle strength and mass increase and functioning in hip fracture sarcopenic patients. Further evidences are mandatory to confirm the potential therapeutic role of specific macro/micronutrients in this condition and to develop specific recommendations regarding the correct posology required to obtain the best outcome improvements. Thus, future research should be focused on assessing the better response to nutritional approaches and the role of supplementation combined with multidisciplinary treatments in hip fractured sarcopenic patients management.