P152 ARE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS EFFECTIVE FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH? A SCOPING REVIEW

Objective: To analyze the state of the art on micronutrients, available in nutraceuticals or in dietary supplements, in order to identify, according to an evidence-based approach, which of them effectively improve the areas typically involved in functional deterioration of elderly: bone, skeletal muscle and nervous tissues. Material and Methods: The Group for the Study of Healthy Ageing by Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements (HANDS) performed this scoping review through different steps: list of micronutrients available in dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, used in elderly to improve their physical functioning in three systems (bone, muscle and central nervous system); identification of relevant studies on PubMed, using as MeSH terms the selected micronutrients, adding through PubMed Search Builder the terms: “bone”, “skeletal muscle” and “central nervous system”; selection of effective micronutrients; identification of effective and safe dosage regimens. Results: We evaluated 12 relevant studies (1 international society guideline recommendations, 1 systematic review, 7 randomized controlled trials, and 3 prospective cohort studies). Of the 39 micronutrients available in the market, only 16 resulted to have appropriate scientific evidence of their effectiveness in terms of improving musculoskeletal health in older people: beta-alanine, calcium, creatine, fluorides, leucine, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K2, and zinc. Conclusions: This scoping review shows that selected micronutrients in specific doses might effectively improve the musculoskeletal health and cognitive function in elderly. A precise analysis carried out according to the EBMprinciples might deliver significant benefits in the field of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.