Prospective Views for Whey Protein and/or Resistance Training Against Age-related Sarcopenia.

Andreas K Nüssler,Liangkai Chen,Liegang Liu,Qian Cheng,Wei Bao,Wei Yang,Yan Zhang,Yuxiao Liao,Zhao Peng

doi:10.14336/ad.2018.0325

Abstract

Skeletal muscle aging is characterized by decline in skeletal muscle mass and function along with growing age, which consequently leads to age-related sarcopenia, if without any preventive timely treatment. Moreover, age-related sarcopenia in elder people would contribute to falls and fractures, disability, poor quality of life, increased use of hospital services and even mortality. Whey protein (WP) and/or resistance training (RT) has shown promise in preventing and treating age-related sarcopenia. It seems that sex hormones could be potential contributors for gender differences in skeletal muscle and age-related sarcopenia. In addition, skeletal muscle and the development of sarcopenia are influenced by gut microbiota, which in turn is affected by WP or RT. Gut microbiota may be a key factor for WP and/or RT against age-related sarcopenia. Therefore, focusing on sex hormones and gut microbiota may do great help for preventing, treating and better understanding age-related sarcopenia.

Highlights

Aging is the physiological function decline in organs over time eventually leading to death
Skeletal muscle aging is characterized by decline in skeletal muscle mass and function with growing age, which leads to age-related sarcopenia, if without any preventive timely treatment through appropriate nutrition and exercise
It seems that whey protein (WP), enriched in leucine and combined with resistance training (RT) can support stronger muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in elderly men compared to the control group [23, 29], implying that RT and leucine may play a key role in MPS response

Summary

Introduction

Aging is the physiological function decline in organs over time eventually leading to death. Another study suggested that WP supplementation for two years could not promote MPS to enhance muscle mass and physical function in healthy elder postmenopausal women [73].

Results

Conclusion