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. 2014 Dec;33(6):929-36.
doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.04.007. Epub 2014 Apr 24.

Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group

Nicolaas E P Deutz  1 , Jürgen M Bauer  2 , Rocco Barazzoni  3 , Gianni Biolo  3 , Yves Boirie  4 , Anja Bosy-Westphal  5 , Tommy Cederholm  6 , Alfonso Cruz-Jentoft  7 , Zeljko Krznariç  8 , K Sreekumaran Nair  9 , Pierre Singer  10 , Daniel Teta  11 , Kevin Tipton  12 , Philip C Calder  13
Affiliations

Protein intake and exercise for optimal muscle function with aging: recommendations from the ESPEN Expert Group

Nicolaas E P Deutz et al. Clin Nutr. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

The aging process is associated with gradual and progressive loss of muscle mass along with lowered strength and physical endurance. This condition, sarcopenia, has been widely observed with aging in sedentary adults. Regular aerobic and resistance exercise programs have been shown to counteract most aspects of sarcopenia. In addition, good nutrition, especially adequate protein and energy intake, can help limit and treat age-related declines in muscle mass, strength, and functional abilities. Protein nutrition in combination with exercise is considered optimal for maintaining muscle function. With the goal of providing recommendations for health care professionals to help older adults sustain muscle strength and function into older age, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) hosted a Workshop on Protein Requirements in the Elderly, held in Dubrovnik on November 24 and 25, 2013. Based on the evidence presented and discussed, the following recommendations are made (a) for healthy older people, the diet should provide at least 1.0-1.2 g protein/kg body weight/day, (b) for older people who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition because they have acute or chronic illness, the diet should provide 1.2-1.5 g protein/kg body weight/day, with even higher intake for individuals with severe illness or injury, and (c) daily physical activity or exercise (resistance training, aerobic exercise) should be undertaken by all older people, for as long as possible.

Keywords: Aging; Amino acids; Exercise; Nutrition; Protein; Sarcopenic obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Protein status: factors leading to lower protein intake in older persons
Figure 2
Figure 2
Protein status: factors leading to higher protein needs in older persons
Figure 3
Figure 3
Recommendations for maintaining healthy muscle with aging
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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