Keeping Your Memory & Focus Sharp: How Your Diet & Nutrition Affect Cognition, Memory & Focus

November 29th, 2010 Lost your keys, can’t remember your grocery list? Having another “senior moment”? Can nutrition help your memory?  Specific nutrients Lutein and Omega-3 DHA have shown to improve cognition (specifically short and long term memory).   Up to 30% of people 50 yrs and older have been estimated to have some risk or degree of cognitive decline or impairment.  By age 65, 50% of these people have been confirmed to have cognitive decline with 1 in 8 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. (Annals Intern Med, 2008; 148:427-434) Experts believe that Inflammation and oxidation are involved in age-related cognitive decline.

• Omega-3 DHA = anti-inflammatory
• Lutein = anti-oxidant

DHA is present in abundance in certain fish (such as tuna and bluefish) and marine animal oils. DHA is a predominant fatty acid in the brain. Low DHA status is associated with cognitive decline. Elderly individuals had a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease if ate 1 or more fish meals/week. (Morris et al. 2003) Low levels of omega-3 DHA in the blood plasma may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment and/or dementia. Lutein is one of over 600 known naturally occurring plant pigments, known as carotenoids. Rich dietary sources of lutein include green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Lutein selectively accumulates in human brain. Lutein status is related to cognition. Lutein and DHA work together…Lutein as an anti-oxidant protects the highly oxidizable DHA. DHA as an anti-inflammatory agent protects lutein. DHA modifies transport of lutein into neural tissue. Studies in large populations that evaluate intake find that adequate dietary omega-3 DHA and lutein are related to better cognitive function. Nutrition and specific nutrient intake may make a difference in cognitive health! To learn more about product with Lutein and Omega- 3 DHA visit www.gobenevia.com

Take a look at the special eBook we’ve created that can help you understand this and more:

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Fighting Sarcopenia’s Muscle Loss is Helped by Protein Supplementation

October 8th, 2010

Comparing Protein Intakes to Help Fight Muscle Loss & Sarcopenia

By John Troup, PhD Active snacking is an effective way to deliver and maintain the recommended level of nutrient intake to fight the age-associated health issues like muscle loss & sarcopenia or loss of muscle.  Although recent scientific studies have shown that 30grams of intact/whole protein intake is the single dose or amount of protein required to stimulate muscle building activity, nutrition practices show that trying to achieve that level of intake is not practical. The illustrations below show what the per meal typical protein intake is and only at dinner time is 30gr of protein achieved.  A simple solution, then might be to increase the per meal protein but using available whole food protein sources (beef, fish, chicken etc) would bring with it high levels of fat and additional calories not needed.  Similarly, if a typical adult nutrition beverage was used as a meal supplement, not only would an excess of calories and fat be delivered, but the amount of protein available to help build muscle would not be optimal Given the above options of timed delivery and type of supplementation, the alternative of using a high leucine/essential amino acid blend like ViaLeuPro  in BeneVia nutritional drinks would provide the advantage of low volume use, yet optimal ability to build muscle and low caloric intake (100calories or less).  Using this approach, a BeneVia drink could be taken with breakfast and lunch to achieve the optimal level of muscle building or – perhaps more ideally – could be taken in between meals so to ensure that more time with fewer gaps in muscle building activity take place for more effective total improvement in muscle mass and function.  Thus a consistent level and rate of protein synthesis stimulation is achieved for a more effective outcome in fighting sarcopenia. Supplementation with low volume highly concentrated protein blends with high leucine/essential amino acids will provide a convenient and 4X more effective method of optimizing muscle building capacity without a significant caloric load.

Most Effective Sources to Manage Natural Muscle Loss & Sarcopenia’s Muscle Loss

• Cost Effective with Optimal Nutrients Criteria Points to BeneVia®, Table 1 (below) shows a Product Comparisons with High Leucine/Essential Amino Acid combinations. Nutrient and Pricing per serving comparisons.

• Table Two below, shows the comparison of various food types and amounts needed for optimal leucine intake.

• Table Three below, shows the protein comparisons with major dietary food types and alternatives vs BeneVia.

• Table Four below, shows the common nutritional protein sources.

Tags: aging baby boomers, amino acid protein blends, baby boomers, healthy aging, nutrients, nutrition, protein, protien, sarcopenia
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Dietary Practices Optimize the Fight Against Sarcopenia & Muscle Loss

October 6th, 2010 By John Troup, Phd Now that we know that sarcopenia (muscle loss) can be managed, minimized and/or avoided by using optimal nutrients like high leucine/essential amino acids, the challenge for healthy aging is to then understand what nutritional practices and habits can be followed to maximize muscle building potential.  First its important to realize that while it seems many of us don’t consume enough key nutrients, we do consume enough or more calories. So its first helpful to find a way to supplement while minimizing the effect of more caloric intake – this can be done using specially formulated nutritional drinks with ViaLeuPro in BeneVia beverages.  Secondly, its important to make sure the supplement is taken at a convenient time and when maximal muscle building effect can take place.  Timing of intake, can also be an important advantage so as to keep as high as a rate of muscle building activity through the day as possible.  In this way, several options can be important.

The Objective of Supplementation should include the following considerations:

1. Maximize the effect of protein for a net positive gain in muscle building capacity
2. Increase active nutrients to a therapeutic level for improved health benefit
3. Do so without increasing age accelerators to the diet.

Net Positive Gain for Muscle Building

Use Supplementation at Times that keep muscle building activity as high as possible and for as long as possible during the course of the day. Active Snack Times in Morning & Afternoon fill the gaps and increase overall muscle building capacity. Three Options for Supplementation presented below (Adapted by: Volpi E, Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:250-258; Paddon-Jones D and Rasmussen BB. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2009;12:86-90): Optimal Muscle Building is Achieved by consuming 30g of quality intact protein per meal  or by Supplementation of 7–15g of a high leucine/EAA protein blend.  Lower volumes increase benefit and compliance

Increase Active Nutrients to Therapeutic Levels for Targeted Health Benefits

Active nutrients play a significant role in targeting specific health benefits and are not readily available at therapeutic levels in the typical diet.

Avoid Adding Age Accelerators to the Diet When Adding Active Nutrients

Selection of food items should avoid those that add high levels of fat and   saturated fat and that would result in 20% or more calories to the typical intake level of around 1800 calories/day  unless food items are substituted. Saturated fats are key age accelerators and should be minimized. Smaller convenient portion sizes are also important to improve compliance and to avoid satiation such that a net decrease in caloric intake is unnecessarily achieved

Tags: aging baby boomers, amino acid protein blends, baby boomers, healthy aging, healthy diet, nutrients, nutrition, protein, protien, sarcopenia
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Effective Nutrients to Fight Sarcopenia’s Muscle Loss?

October 1st, 2010

Preventing the Muscle Loss Related to Sarcopenia

By John Troup, PhD Maintaining and/or improving muscle function and preventing sarcopenia (muscle loss) as we age is clearly an important part of our individualized health care objectives for healthy aging.  But not all proteins or protein sources and blends are created with the same effect.  While there are a number of protein types and sources available, not all have the same level of effect or improvement.  Table 1 (below) presents this comparative table with the first line of data comparisons showing which source nutrient or protein has the highest effect on building muscle. From a review of the scientific literature, its clear that the combination of high leucine/essential amino acids has the most significant effect on building and restoring muscle mass. Not only is the muscle building capacity the highest but the practical outcomes of improved muscle function and muscle strength are the most positive with this blend of high leucine/essential amino acids. Based on the proprietary science in developing this blend, it is now a patented formulation and exclusively available in BeneVia® nutritional beverages and called ViaLeuPro™. Recently, a new nutrient called HMB (hydroxymethylbutyrate) a metabolic by product of the amino acid leucine, has been purported to be effective in building muscle and stimulating muscle protein synthesis.  A review of the scientific literature suggests, however, that this metabolite, HMB has little to no effect on protein synthesis alone and only when combined with the amino acid arginine is any stimulation of protein synthesis observed.  Even this combination of HMB/arginine however has only moderate effect on muscle building potential – especially when compared to intact protein sources or to the high leucine/essential amino acid mix, called ViaLeuPro™. Table One: Comparative Effects Reported on the Effect of Muscle Energetics and Functional Outcomes of Selected Nutrient Energy Sources in Nutritional Beverages.  Results represent studies with subjects 60yrs and older. ViaLeuPro™ is the most effective energy source that helps build muscle and improve muscle function for healthy aging.

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Sarcopenia & The Not So Secret Secret to Aging

September 29th, 2010

High Leucine / Essential Amino Acid Protein Sources Help With Sarcopenia & Aging Issues

By John Troup Protein is the single most important nutrient for muscle function. The fundamental way through  which dietary protein affects muscle is stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (i.e., the body’s ability to build muscle) by the absorbed amino acids ⁽¹¹⁾. Muscle protein is particularly responsive to the stimulatory effect of ingested protein/amino acids.  Building muscle is stimulated by a single dose of amino acids to a greater extent than any anabolic hormone tested, including testosterone⁽¹²⁾, insulin⁽¹³⁾, and growth hormone⁽¹⁴⁾. Recent studies have proven the positive effect of amino acids  on muscle protein synthesis translates to improvement in lean body mass, strength and function in elderly^(15,16). The recent report of the Health Aging and Body Composition Study⁽¹⁷⁾ confirms the importance of protein intake in preserving lean body mass on a large population basis. Changes in body composition were determined over a three year period in over 2000 individuals aged 70-79. Individuals in the highest group of protein intake had 40% less loss in lean body mass over the 3 year period than those in the lowest groups of protein intake. The other three groups defined on the differences in levels of protein intake also corresponded to the extent of loss of lean body mass.  So, its  not surprising that in a different study⁽¹⁸⁾ women with intake greater than the mid-range of 0.8-1.2 g protein/kg/day (1.20-1.76 g/kg/day) tended to have fewer health problems over the 10 year follow-up period than those with protein intakes < 0.8 g/kg/day.

Protein & Amino Acids Are Key

Amino acids are the key nutrient stimulators of muscle protein synthesis and thus play an important and critical role in stopping the age acceleration that poor nutrition and low protein intake have on the aging process.  What’s the best way to put this to work for better health and avoiding sarcopenia?  An optimal dietary supplement should have the greatest stimulatory effect on muscle protein synthesis using the least amount of amino acids.  This combination will limit the impact of the supplement on other dietary intake, as well as minimize the serving size of the supplement, control (and minimize) excess incremental caloric intake and thereby increase the likelihood of compliance and improved results of maintain muscle function. All forms of dietary protein contain a mixture of essential and non-essential amino acids (EAAs – essential amino acids,  and NEAAs – non-essential amino acids).  Ingestion of only the EAAs is necessary for stimulation of muscle protein synthesis⁽²⁵⁾ resulting in positive muscle building and support effects. Unfortunately,  a high quality protein contains approximately 50% EAAs. Thus, if a mixture of EAAs is given that matches the profile of the amino acids in a protein, only half the amount of EAAs is required as compared to the intact protein to elicit the same magnitude of response of muscle protein synthesis⁽²⁶⁾. In addition to providing necessary precursors for protein synthesis, some EAAs serve as molecular regulators of muscle protein metabolism.  In particular, leucine has a well-defined role in activating the molecular process involved in initiating the process of protein synthesis⁽²⁷⁾.  The role of leucine is particularly important in elderly individuals.  A mixture of EAAs in which leucine comprises 40% of the total is approximately twice as effective in stimulating muscle protein synthesis in older individuals as the profile of EAAs in whey protein, which is a high-quality protein in milk.

Leucine Alone Isn’t the Answer

Although leucine has an important and unique role in muscle protein metabolism in older individuals, ingestion of leucine alone is ineffective in stimulating human muscle protein synthesis. Other essential amino acids must also be present in the appropriate proportions. This cannot be achieved by simply ingesting a mixture with the same profile of EAAs as muscle protein.  Due to different transport rates from blood into the muscle, the optimal profile of ingested amino acids differs from the amino acid profile of muscle protein.  Adequate availability of the appropriate amount of amino acid precursors is necessary for the activation of muscle building activity caused by leucine. Dr. Robert Wolfe and his team of scientists at the University of Arkansas has done  a  great deal of research studying all of these considerations into the design of the optimal profile of amino acids that can most effectively build muscle, avoid sarcopenia and enhance health function for a healthy aging process.  There is a dose response of muscle protein synthesis to this optimal mixture of additional EAAs when given in conjunction with high leucine (figure 1). Whereas leucine is a key component of the optimal formulation of amino acids to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, the effectiveness of the mixture results from the entire profile of amino acids. The bottom line is that the optimal mix of high leucine/essential amino acids has been shown to build muscle (i.e., improves protein synthesis rates) as much as four times more than intact protein on a gram for gram basis (figure 2). The results shown in figure 2 demonstrate that it is possible to formulate a dietary supplement to enhance muscle protein synthesis, and thus muscle size and strength, that is much more efficient than normal dietary intake. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sarcopenia & The Importance of Protein

August 26th, 2010 This is part two of a two part series dedicated to the topic of Sarcopenia, a disease that is common in older Americans and concerns the loss of muscle mass.  Today’s post revolves around how protein can help counter the affects of sarcopenia.  The first post in the series will focused on what exactly is sarcopenia. By John Troup Since almost 80% of Americans are afflicted by sarcopenia (i.e., muscle functional and mass decrease) this is an even greater health concern today that has been shown to contribute to the high incidence of healthcare costs in those over 60years and leads to earlier decline of health.  The good news is that nutrition can play a convenient and effective role in managing both sarcopenia and osteoporosis and is recommended by the world’s leading experts in healthy aging.

Increased Protein Intake is the First Step in Fighting Sarcopenia

Recent studies have shown that up to 80% of people 50 and older do not consume enough protein in their daily diets to help avoid the loss of muscle^(22,43) While the typical amount of protein intake should be about 60grams per day (about 2 oz), new recommendations suggest that up to another 100grams (about 4 oz) of protein is minimally required to help avoid muscle loss and improve calcium uptake for healthy bones.  The issue with increasing protein, however, is that most sources of protein (meats, fish, dairy, poultry, etc) are associated with high levels of fat and saturated fat.  The challenge thus becomes finding a high quality source of protein without all the fat.

What is Protein, Really?

Proteins are made up of 20 amino acids, 11 which are called ‘non-essential’ (meaning the body produces them itself) and 9 essential amino acids (meaning that we need to find these from the foods we eat since we can’t produce them).  Best sources for intact protein that are ‘complete’ (meaning they provide all 20 amino acids) are foods like beef, poultry, fish, dairy sources like milks and cheeses and vegetable sources like soy. Proteins work in the body in a way that helps stimulate the biochemical pathways in the body to use the amino acids to then make more muscle – thus with increasing protein intake that can overcome the normal daily breakdown or loss of muscle, muscle mass grows and becomes stronger.  This benefit results in more functional ability with enough energy and strength to keep us active and moving and avoiding bone and joint problems.

Are There Perfect Proteins?

Until now, complete proteins (i.e., containing all the amino acids, especially the essential amino acids) were thought to be enough.  In fact, most suppliers of protein would rate their proteins by using something called the bioavailability quotient (PDCAAS) which describes the amount of protein broken down and the resulting amount of each amino acid that could be absorbed.  Typically a value of 100 is considered the standard to describe how useful protein sources might be for supporting muscle energy.

Setting a New Standard in Protein Use & Effect: Measuring Ability to Build Muscle

Recent scientific studies have shown that to overcome the age associated limitations to building muscle, its no longer just enough to show high bioavailability but rather, its more important to show how the protein and amino acids effectively result in increasing muscle mass and function^{(15,24,25,40,43)}.  In other words, a single source protein may have all the amino acids, but they may be less than effective at their ability to be used by the body to build more muscle. New scientific methods developed by our scientists have now shown that the body and muscles use different proteins and amino acids from various sources in different ways.  Thus even those protein sources with PDCAAS values of 90 or more have very different abilities to use proteins and amino acids in building muscle.  As the table below illustrates, there is a new rank order in the ‘quality’ of protein to build muscle.  Thus a new standard is available to describe the ability to build muscle

Percent Improvement of Muscle Building Capacity With Different Sources and Types of Proteins

A New Perfect Protein for Consumers 40 and Older Must Include High Leucine & Essential Amino Acids that can Build Muscles

Recent scientific publications have now demonstrated that the resistance of muscles in aging can be overcome provided that the selection of right amino acid with the right amount of total amino acids and protein are combined^{(4,15,24,40,42)}.  These studies have shown that the essential amino acids are most critical and that leucine may be the most important of these in its ability to help muscle grow.  More specifically, we now know that the amount of essential amino acids and specific level of leucine must be at certain levels to overcome the resistance of muscle in a way that helps it grow and/or avoid its loss^{(24,25,40,42)}.  Supported with this information, we now know that intact protein sources as have typically been used may not be effective enough to support strong muscles.

Designed By Nature, Enhanced by Science. Higher Levels of Leucine Build Muscle More Effectively

Proprietary science and publications now reveal that specific protein sources and amino acids naturally available must be taken and optimized, or enhanced in a way to make sure that the levels of the key amino acids are most readily available to build muscles as we age.  By using a unique blend of protein and amino acids high in leucine, BeneVia provides the most effective and concentrated forms of protein that has been shown to be up to 400% (or 4X) more effective at building muscle than any other proteins sources (15, 24,25,40, 42,43).  This blend means that the large volumes of total protein and the high levels of fat associated with that protein need no longer be used.  The resulting effects mean more efficient and effective muscle building capability and in a convenient less filling way.  The concentrated power of this new ‘Perfect Protein’ with high Leucine is an important solution to part of the less desirable effects of aging.  This new protein source is called ‘ViaLeuPro’ is found exclusively in BeneVia nutritional drinks.

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References 1. Abellan-Van Kan, A., Rolland Y., Bergman H., Morley J., Kritchevsky S., Vellas, B.,  Frailty assessment of older people in clinical practice expert opinion of a geriatric advisory panel.  J. Nutrition Health and Aging, 2007  16: 35-45 2. Baumgartner RN et al  Epidemiology of sarcopenia among the elderly in  New Mexico  Am J Epidemiol. 1998  147: 755-763 3.  Brown JV, Wykle MH, Cowling WR.  Failure to thrive in older persons: a concept derived.  Gerontologist  1988   28:809-812 4.  Evans W. Functional and metabolic consequences of sarcopenia.  J. Nutr  1997  127: 998S-1003S 5.  Fried LP, Tangen CM, Walston J, Newman AB, Hirsh C, Gottdiener J, Seeman T, Tracy R, Kop WJ, Burke G, McBurnie MA.  Frailty in older adults:  Evidence for a phenotype.   J. Gerontology 56A: M146-M156, 2001. 6.  Fried LP. Ferrucci L., Darer J., Williamson, JD., Anderson G.  Untangling the concepts of disability, frailty and co-morbidity: implications for improved targeting and care.  J Gerontol Biol Sci Med Sci  2004  59(3): 255-263 7.  Friedman PJ., Campbell AJ, Caradoc-Davies TH.,  Prospective trial of a new diagnostic criterion for severe wasting malnutrition in the elderly.  Age Aging  1985  14:149-154 8.  Gill TM, Gahbauer ES, Allore HG, Han L.  Transition between frailty states among community living older persons.  Arch Intern Med  2006  166:418-423 9.  Heymsfield SB et al  A radiographic method of quantifying protein calorie undernutrition  Am J Clin Nutr  1979  32: 693-702 10. Hogan DB, MacKnight C, Bergman H.  Aging Clin Exp Res  2003   15 (3 suppl) 1-29 11. Janssen I et al  The healthcare costs of sarcopenia in the United States  J Am Geriatr Soc  2004  52: 80-85 12. Janssen I et al  Skeletal muscle cut points associated with elevated physical disability risk in older men and women.  Am j Epidemiol  2004  159: 413 -421 13. Janssen L., Heymsfield SB., Ross R.  Low relative skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) in older persons is associated with functional impairment and physical disability.  J Am Geriatr Soc  2002  50: 889-896 14. Kallman DA Plato CC and Tobin JD  The role of muscle loss in the age-rleated decline of grip strength: cross sectional and longitudinal perspectives  J Gerontol 1990  45: M82-M88 15. Katsonos, C., et al.  A high proportion of leucine is required for optimal stimulation of the rate of muscle protein synthesis by essential amino acids in the elderly.   Am.J.  Physiol.  2006;  291: 381 – 387. 16. Landi F. et al  Body mass index and mortality among older people living in the community.  J Am Geriatr Soc  1999  47: 1072-1076 17. Lowrie EG, Lew NL. Death risk in hemodialysis patients: the predictive value of commonly measured variables and an evaluation of death rate differences between facilities. Am J Kidney  Disease 1990; 15(5):458-482 18.Marquis K, Debigare R, Lacasse Y, et al. Midthigh muscle cross-sectional area is a better predictor of mortality than body mass index in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002; 166:787-809. 19. Martin AD et al  Anthropometric estimation of muscle mass in men. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1990  22: 729-733 20. Melton LJ, et al  Epidemiology of sarcopenia.  J Am Geriatr Soc 2000  48: 625-630 21. Morley JE, Perry III HM, Miller DK.  Something about Frailty.  J. Gerontol Med Scie 2002 (57A); 11 :698-704 22. Morley, JE, MSJ Sinclair, AJ and Morley JE eds, John Wiley & Sons: West Sussex England pp 1565-1570, 2006 23. Morley JE, Frailty. Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine 4^th Edition  2006. 24. Paddon-Jones, D., et.al.  Differential stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in elderly humans following isocaloric ingestion of amino acids or whey protein.  Exp. Gerontol. 41 (2006) 215-219. 25. Paddon-Jones, D., et al. Exogenous  amino acids stimulate human muscle anabolism without interfering with the response to mixed meal ingestion.  Am.J.Physiol  2005; 288: 761- 767 26. Rockwood K., Frailty and its definition: a worth challenge.  J. Am Geriatric Soc  2005  53:1069-1070 27. Rockwood K., Fox RA , Stolee P, Robertson D, Beattie L.  Frailty I elderly people: an evolving concept.  Can Med Assoc J.  1994;  150 (4): 489-495 28. Rockwood K., Stadnyk K., MacKnight C., McDowell I., Herbert R., Hogan DB.  A brief clinical instrument to classify frailty in elderly people.  Lancet  1999  353: 205-206 29. Rolland Y et al  sarcopenia, calf circumference and physical function of elderly women: a cross sectional study  J Am Geriatr Soc  2003  51L 1120-1124 30. Roubenoff  R and VA Hughes   Sarcopenia and current concept  J Gerontol A Biol Scie Med Sci  2000  55: M716-24 31. Ruiz RJ, Sui X, Lobelo F et al. Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study. Brit Med J 2008; 337:a439. 32. Stone R., Cafferata GI, Sangl J.  Caregivers of the frail elderly: a national profile.  Gerontologist 1987  29:616-626 33. Strawbridge WJ, Shema, SJ, Balfour JL, Higby, HR, Kaplan GA  Antecedents of frailty over three decades in an older cohort.  J. Gerontol Psychol Sco Sci  1998 (53B) 1:S9 – S16 34. Studenski S, Perera S., Wallace D., Chandler JM, Duncan PW, Rooney E, Fox M., Guralink JM.  Physical performance measures in the clinical setting.  J Am Geriatri Soc  2003  51: 314-322 35. Studenski S., Hayes RP, Leibowitz RQ., Bode, R., Lavery L, Walston, J., Duncan P, Perera S.  Clinical global impression of change in physical frailty: development of a measure based on clinical judgement.  J Am Geriatr Soc  2001 52: 1560-1566 36. Sydall H., Cooper C, Martin F., Briggs R., Sayer AA.  Is grip strength a useful single marker of frailty? Age and Aging 2003  32: 650-656 37.Thomas DR  Loss of skeletal muscle mass in aging: Examining the relationship of starvation, sarcopenia and cachexia  Clin Nutr  2007  26: 389-399 38. Vandervoot AA.  Aging of the human neuromuscular system.  Muscle Nerve 2002,  25:  17-25 39. Van Iersel MB, Rikkert MG  Frailty criteria give heteregenous results when applied in clinical practice  J Am Geriatr Soc  2006  54:728-729 40. Volpi. E., et al.  Essential amino acids are primarily responsible for the amino acid stimulation of muscle protein anabolism in healthy elderly adults.  AM.J.Clin.Nut 2003; 78:250 – 253 41.  Watson, J., Hadley EC, Ferrucci L., Guralnik, JM.,  Studenski, SA and Fried LP. Research for Frailty in older adults: towards a better understanding of physiology and etiology: summary for the American Geriatrics Society.  J. Am Geriatr Soc  2006 54:991-1001 42.  Wolfe, R., et al.  Optimizing protein intake in the elderly.  Am J CLin Nutr.  In press 2010 43.  Wolfe, R., The underappreciated role of protein in health and disease.  Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 2006; 84:475-482

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Is Sarcopenia the New Osteoporosis?

August 25th, 2010 This is part one of a two part series dedicated to the topic of Sarcopenia, a disease that is common in older Americans and concerns the loss of muscle mass.  Today’s post revolves around what exactly sarcopenia is.  The second post in the series will focus on how protein can help counter the affects of sarcopenia. By John Troup

Over 80% of Americans Are Afflicted by Sarcopenia

Everyone wants to live longer, but no one wants to grow older!  Is it really possible to age-proof  your body and achieve a longer life span?  Hard to know for sure but a more successful approach might be accepting how long you will live and just make sure that your health span – or the quality of healthy living within your life span – is as good as possible.  This means taking an active approach to your health and making sure you manage your diet and exercise in a way that maximizes your ability to stay active. Since almost 80% of Americans are afflicted by sarcopenia (i.e., muscle functional and mass decrease) this is an even greater health concern today that has been shown to contribute to the high incidence of healthcare costs in those over 60years and leads to earlier decline of health.  The good news is that nutrition can play a convenient and effective role in managing both sarcopenia and osteoporosis and is recommended by the worlds leading experts in healthy aging.

Nutritional Specific Advantages with Protein Energy Supports Active Life Stages

Over the last 30 years, health care agencies and the food industry have recommended avoiding bone loss  (ie. Osteoporosis) to help make sure that as we age we can still be active. This is sound advice given the roughly 40% of older Americans effected by this disease state.  Today, clinical experts and scientists in aging now agree that at least as important (and maybe more so) avoiding the typical loss of muscle mass and muscle strength seen in aging (i.e., sarcopenia) will not only keep muscles functioning and keep the body active, it also supports healthy bones.  Lets take a closer look at how nutrition –and specialized protein sources in particular – can improve active lifestyles.

Age-related Loss of Bone & Muscle: The Common Links of Sarcopenia are Not well Known

After the age of 35 up to 40% of women begin to lose bone density.  The rate of bone loss typically accelerated again after age 65 but can be slowed with a combination of exercise and nutrient supplementation .  While calcium is an important mineral to be taken to avoid loss of bone, vitamin D plays a more important role in re-absorption and use of calcium and thus more effective in maintaining bone health and avoiding osteoporosis^(1,3,22,23).  Thus, adequate calcium supplementation is important  and why  50% of RDA levels of vitamin D are provided in BeneVia to help keep bones strong. Additionally, superior protein sources are provided which have also been shown to increase the use of calcium and result in less bone loss. Muscle loss occurs in more than 80% of male and females by age 35 and accelerates after 50 years to the point that our ability to move and maintain active lifestyles is significantly and adversely effected.  In fact, by the time we reach 70 years, most of us will have lost up to 50% of the muscle mass we had when we were 25 years^(2,4,11).  What makes muscle loss an increasing factor for health risk is that as we lose muscle (or lean body mass), there is a shift to increasing amount of fat mass on our bodies – to the point that many of us will have 100% more fat mass on our bodies by the time we are 70 years than when we were 25 years_{(30,31, 41,42,43)}.  This fat mass produces inflammatory factors which lead to chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high fat levels in our blood and liver (also called trigylercides) along with a loss of cognitive function and compromised brain health^(6,7,22).

Sarcopenia’s Muscle Loss is More Serious Than Osteoporosis

As we age, the loss of lean body mass compromises our ability to maintain healthy and active lifestyles.  This change effects more of us and leads to compromised health and higher health management costs.  This age-related change can be prevented and delayed with the use of nutritional support.

Age Associated Muscle Resistance: The Inability to Build Muscle

Recent studies by leading scientists in the field of aging, have shown that as we age, our muscle become resistant to growing and building^{(22,24,25,42,43)}.  This may be due to a number of factors but in part is associated to the higher fat mass than releases inflammatory factors accelerating the loss of muscle.  This means that as we age in order to avoid the loss of muscle mass and strength, we need to find a way to overcome the resistance of muscles to want to grow and support our active lifestyles.  Increasing protein is one consideration, but selecting the right protein to overcome this aging effect is a challenge. In Part Two of this Sarcopenia Series, we’ll talk about protein in relation to sarcopenia Read the rest of this entry »

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Caution….Senior Moment in Progress

August 2nd, 2010 By Jennifer Ashley-Earl RD,LD We all have them, young and old and in between, moments where we forget everything we should know, can’t remember a thing and dismiss it as our ‘senior moment’.  Until recently we haven’t understood the role that key nutrients can really play in keeping our brains, muscles and cognitive health in tip top shape. Tufts University Department of Aging is busy studying the role that carotenoids such as the antioxidant Lutein, and Omega 3 as found in Fish Oil play in our ability to remember the items on our grocery list faster and play a game of Sudoku better.

Protein Plays a Powerful Role

Protein is also being re-examined by the Reynolds Institute on Aging in Little Rock Arkansas, on the powerful role that certain proteins such as whey protein, and select amino acids such as leucine, contribute to resisting aging related outcomes on improving muscle health. Quite exciting research for anyone feeling a ‘senior moment’ approaching.  In fact memory complaints are common in the older adult, with 50-80% reporting subjective memory complaints (1). The nutritional practices and habits of boomer consumers reveal that while caloric intake levels are adequate, insufficient protein and protein source intake levels contribute to an accelerated loss of muscle mass during the aging process. (2)

Get Your Nutrients Through Active Snacking

These nutrients can be acquired through a simple approach called “Active Snacking” .  Active Snacking aims to encourage equal amounts of protein and key vitamins and nutrients throughout the day and is the most effective method of nutritional supplementation. Active nutrients play a significant role in targeting specific health benefits and are not readily available at therapeutic levels in the typical diet. Provided in this chart is perspective on how the typical American diet stacks up on these key nutrients.

Click to Enlarge NHANES 2006

The more we age, the more we need these key nutrients.  The therapeutic nutrition found in a new product called BeneVia® is now in the adult nutrition aisle at fine retailers throughout the US.

BeneVia Nutrition Drinks Contain:

• Concentrated protein power of high leucine/essential amino acids.
• 4x more effective than other protein sources with muscle building capacity in one serving equal to 32g of protein.
• 11 of the most important vitamins and minerals needed for strength & energy.
• Helps builds strong muscles and bones.
• Vitamin D and calcium.
• 100 calories, No Fat and Low Sugar.
• Great tasting light juice, consumer preferred.
• Practitioner Recommended.

Learn more at GoBeneVia, or sign up for BeneVia Coupons to access valuable coupons and samples. We all desire strength, energy and vitality as we grow older.   Make the most of your Senior Moment.

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References 1  Levy-Cushman & Abeles, 1998 2 Wakimoto & Block 2001, NHANES 2006

Tags: active snacking, protien, senior moment, senior moments
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