The Claim

In women aged 80–92 years with malnutrition, 3 weeks of citrulline supplementation (10 g/day) was associated with a significant increase in lean mass (mean +1.7 kg) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (mean +1.1 kg), and a significant decrease in fat mass (mean -1.3 kg), compared to baseline.

Source: Impact of 3-week citrulline supplementation on postprandial protein metabolism in malnourished older patients: The Ciproage randomized controlled trial.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
46score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In older women with malnutrition, taking 10 grams of citrulline daily for 3 weeks resulted in an average increase of 1.7 kilograms in lean mass and 1.1 kilograms in arm and leg muscle mass, along with an average loss of 1.3 kilograms in fat mass.

See the scientific wording

In women aged 80–92 years with malnutrition, 3 weeks of citrulline supplementation (10 g/day) was associated with a significant increase in lean mass (mean +1.7 kg) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (mean +1.1 kg), and a significant decrease in fat mass (mean -1.3 kg), compared to baseline.

Why this might work

Citrulline turns into arginine in the body, which boosts the production of nitric oxide and signals muscle cells to build more protein while slowing down fat storage, leading to more muscle and less fat over time.

Supported mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Impact of 3-week citrulline supplementation on postprandial protein metabolism in malnourished older patients: The Ciproage randomized controlled trial.

    In older women who weren’t eating enough, taking 10 grams of citrulline daily for 3 weeks helped them gain muscle and lose a little fat — but this didn’t happen in men or the whole group. The study found this effect clearly in women.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.