Author
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FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University |
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Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2013 Publication Date: 11/1/2013 Citation: Fielding, R.A. 2013. Protein nutrition mediates lean body mass homeostasis in the aging warfighter1–3. Journal of Nutrition. 143(11):1857S-1861S. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The demographics shift of the average age in the United States and worldwide mandates that careful attention should be paid to the nutritional and health needs of all segments of our older adult population. Well defined changes in body composition occur in aging animals and humans. Characteristic of this change is the age-associated decline in skeletal muscle mass, Sarcopenia. Data from observational studies of dietary intake and body composition suggest that a significant proportion of adults over the age of 60 years consume less than the US recommended dietary allowance for protein and that greater dietary protein intake appears to reduce the decline in lean/muscle mass with aging. Studies of acute ingestion of high quality dietary protein in healthy older adults suggest that the age-related blunting of protein synthetic capacity can be overcome with increased dietary protein intake. However, studies on chronic administration of high quality protein supplements to cohorts to older adults are more equivocal with respect to improving or preserving muscle mass. The review will highlight selective aspects of protein supplementation in older adults. |
