By: Kay Sisk, Dietetic Intern and Graduate Student, Case Western Reserve University Date: 5/23/11
As the aging population of America grows, some researchers are taking a closer look at age-related health issues. Age-related muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, was a common theme of Midwest Muscle Day (held on May 10th in St. Louis, MO). The seminar brought together food scientists, clinical researchers and educators to discuss current research in muscle health and ways to prevent and treat muscle loss. During the seminar, it was suggested that it may be beneficial to integrate food science, food processing and current research in this field.
Seminar speakers included expert researchers in the field: Dr. Blake Rasmussen (University of Texas Medical Branch), Dr. Michael Reid (University of Kentucky), Dr. Bettina Mittendorfer, and Dr. Gordon Smith (both with Washington University Medical School). Here is a look at the key findings from the current research:
Examining Gender Differences in Muscle Mass
Women have less muscle than men as they age and are twice as likely to become frail since they have much less muscle. However, men lose muscle faster than women. Dr. Mittendorfer said that these differences may be related to the differences in hormones between men and women. Testosterone, for example, builds muscle whereas female sex hormones break down muscle in rat studies, but how this happens is unclear. In the future, researchers are looking to investigate these differences and the effects of amino acids and vigorous exercise on muscle growth in older men and women.
Exploring Other Potential Therapies: Antioxidants and Omega-3’s
Reactive oxygen species, or free radicals, are present in skeletal muscle and increase with aging, chronic inflammation and strenuous exercise. These free radicals contribute to muscle fatigue, suggesting that some antioxidants may be important for muscle health, although Dr. Reid said that research has not yet found conclusive evidence of these beneficial effects. He suggested that researchers do further humans studies to investigate these potential benefits.
There may also be beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on muscle health. In animal studies, feeding animals omega-3 fatty acids stimulated muscle growth and prevented muscle loss. Dr. Smith says that emerging evidence suggests that a similar effect is found in human studies with older adults, and omega-3 fatty acids may be useful for the prevention and treatment of muscle loss in the elderly.
Maintaining Muscle Mass
As the research continues to unfold, there are steps you can take to prevent muscle loss, promote muscle growth and lead healthier lives. There are numerous benefits to consuming a well-balanced diet and getting regular physical activity at any age. These same strategies can have a positive impact on age-associated muscle mass loss. Learn how by checking out Part 1 of this blog series.
This is Part 2 of a 2-part series of blog posts on healthy aging and muscle maintenance. Learn about ways to build stronger muscles in Part 1.