Researchers discovered that combining two natural nutrients from milk and eggs—called MFG-E8 and phosphatidylcholine—may help prevent muscle loss, especially in older adults. In a study with aging rats, this nutrient combination reversed muscle damage caused by a steroid medication, improved the rats’ strength and endurance, and helped their muscle cells produce energy more efficiently. The nutrients worked by fixing damaged mitochondria (the energy factories inside cells) and reducing harmful molecules that damage muscles. While these results are promising, more research in humans is needed before we know if this approach will work the same way for people.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a combination of two nutrients found in milk and eggs could prevent or reverse muscle loss caused by steroid medications in older animals.
  • Who participated: Aged laboratory rats that were given a steroid medication (dexamethasone) known to cause muscle loss. The study compared rats receiving the nutrient combination to those that did not.
  • Key finding: Rats that received the milk and egg nutrient combination had significantly less muscle loss, better swimming ability, and healthier muscle cells compared to rats that didn’t receive the nutrients. The nutrients appeared to work by helping muscle cells produce energy more efficiently.
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that eating foods rich in these nutrients (dairy products and eggs) might help protect muscles as we age, though human studies are still needed to confirm this benefit. This is particularly relevant for older adults or people taking steroid medications that can weaken muscles.

The Research Details

This was an experimental study conducted in laboratory rats. Researchers divided aged rats into groups: some received a steroid medication known to cause muscle loss, while others received the same medication plus a special nutrient supplement containing MFG-E8 (from milk) and phosphatidylcholine (from egg yolks). The researchers then measured muscle size, strength, and cellular health over time.

To understand how the nutrients worked, the scientists used advanced testing called metabolomics, which is like taking a detailed snapshot of all the chemical reactions happening inside muscle cells. This allowed them to see exactly which energy-producing processes were improved by the nutrient combination.

The researchers also examined muscle tissue under a microscope and measured various markers of cell health and energy production to understand the complete picture of how these nutrients protected the muscles.

Using metabolomics (detailed chemical analysis) is important because it shows not just that something works, but exactly how it works at the cellular level. This helps scientists understand whether the benefits might apply to humans and guides future research. The study’s focus on mitochondrial function (the energy-producing parts of cells) is particularly relevant because mitochondrial damage is a key reason muscles weaken with age.

This study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting with standardized conditions, which is good for understanding basic mechanisms. However, because it was done in rats rather than humans, the results may not directly apply to people. The study appears to have measured multiple outcomes (muscle size, strength, cellular health, and energy production), which strengthens the findings. The use of advanced metabolomics technology provides detailed evidence of how the nutrients worked. The main limitation is that we don’t yet know if these results will translate to humans taking these nutrients in food form.

What the Results Show

The nutrient combination significantly prevented muscle loss in aged rats treated with steroids. Rats receiving the supplement maintained much more muscle mass and strength compared to rats that only received the steroid medication. Additionally, these rats showed improved swimming endurance, suggesting better overall muscle function and energy production.

When researchers examined the muscle tissue under a microscope, they found that the nutrient combination prevented the typical damage pattern seen in muscle atrophy (muscle wasting). The muscle fibers looked healthier and more organized in the supplemented group.

At the cellular level, the nutrients appeared to work by boosting the mitochondria—the tiny energy factories inside cells. The supplement increased the production of key molecules involved in energy creation (like citrate and other compounds in the TCA cycle) and activated important enzymes that help cells produce energy more efficiently. This suggests the nutrients essentially gave the muscle cells better tools to generate the energy they need to function.

The study found that the nutrient combination also reduced oxidative stress, which is cellular damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. This protection appeared to happen because the nutrients helped restore the protective membranes of mitochondria. The supplement also increased the production of new mitochondria through a specific cellular pathway (the AMPK/PGC-1α/Nrf1 axis), meaning cells were essentially building more energy factories to meet their needs. These secondary findings are important because they show the nutrients work through multiple protective mechanisms, not just one.

Previous research has shown that milk and egg nutrients have health benefits, but this study is novel in demonstrating their synergistic effect (working better together than separately) specifically for muscle health in aging. The focus on mitochondrial function aligns with current scientific understanding that mitochondrial decline is a major cause of age-related muscle loss. The findings support the emerging field of ‘functional nutrition’—using specific food components to target specific health problems at the cellular level.

The most significant limitation is that this research was conducted in rats, not humans. Rats age differently than people, and their bodies may respond differently to nutrients. The study didn’t compare the combination to each nutrient given separately, so we don’t know if both components are necessary or if one alone might be effective. The study also used a steroid medication to cause muscle loss, which is different from the natural muscle loss that occurs with aging alone. Finally, the study doesn’t tell us how much of these nutrients people would need to eat to see similar benefits, or whether eating them in food form (rather than as a concentrated supplement) would be effective.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, there is moderate evidence that consuming adequate dairy products and eggs may support muscle health, particularly as we age. However, this should not replace established muscle-health practices like regular exercise and adequate protein intake. This research is preliminary and should not be used as a reason to take concentrated supplements without consulting a healthcare provider. For older adults concerned about muscle loss, the most evidence-based approach remains resistance exercise combined with adequate protein nutrition.

This research is most relevant to older adults concerned about age-related muscle loss, people taking steroid medications long-term, and individuals recovering from illness or injury. It may also interest people looking for dietary strategies to support muscle health. However, people with dairy allergies or egg allergies should not attempt to use these nutrients as supplements without medical guidance. Anyone considering supplements should consult their doctor first.

Based on the study, benefits to muscle strength and endurance appeared within the timeframe of the experiment (though the exact duration wasn’t specified in the abstract). In humans, realistic expectations would likely be weeks to months of consistent consumption before noticeable improvements in strength or endurance. Individual results would vary based on age, overall health, exercise habits, and baseline nutrition.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly dairy and egg consumption (servings per week) alongside a simple strength metric like number of push-ups, squats, or stair climbs completed. This allows users to monitor whether increased consumption of these nutrients correlates with improvements in their own muscle function.
  • Users could set a goal to include one dairy product and one egg-containing meal daily, then track these in the app. For example: Greek yogurt with breakfast and an omelet or egg-based dinner. This practical change directly applies the research findings to daily eating habits.
  • Implement a monthly check-in where users rate their energy levels, muscle soreness after exercise, and perceived strength on a simple 1-10 scale. Combine this with tracking actual dairy and egg intake to help users identify patterns between their nutrition and how they feel. This long-term approach captures the gradual benefits that might occur over weeks and months.

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not yet been tested in humans. The findings are promising but preliminary. Do not use this information to replace medical advice from your healthcare provider. If you are taking steroid medications, have muscle weakness, or are concerned about age-related muscle loss, consult your doctor before making significant dietary changes or starting supplements. While dairy products and eggs are generally safe foods, individual allergies and dietary restrictions should be considered. This summary is for educational purposes and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a recommendation to purchase supplements.