Amino acid supplementation may help improve muscle function and exercise endurance in elderly individuals, particularly those with chronic heart failure. Research published in the American Journal of Cardiology (2008; Volume 101, Issue 11, Supplement 1, Pages S104–S110) evaluated this effect in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 95 adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic heart failure.
Participants received either a placebo or 4 grams of a mixed amino acid supplement twice daily. Exercise capacity was assessed at baseline and again after 30 days. The group receiving amino acids demonstrated a significant improvement in exercise performance, along with enhanced peripheral oxygen availability, compared to the placebo group.
Additional support comes from a pilot study published in the same journal (American Journal of Cardiology, 2008; Volume 101, Issue 11, Supplement 1, Pages S78–S81). In this study, elderly patients with chronic heart failure supplemented with 4 grams of mixed amino acids daily for 12 weeks. Before supplementation, participants walked an average of 201 meters during a six-minute walk test. After 12 weeks, the average distance increased to 226 meters.
Together, these findings suggest that amino acid supplementation may offer a simple nutritional strategy to support physical endurance and functional capacity in older adults with compromised cardiovascular health.
