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Nutrition and sarcopenia of ageing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 December 2007

Satoshi Fujita  and
Elena Volpi
Satoshi Fujita
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo Street, BMT-B11, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
Elena Volpi*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Southern California, 1333 San Pablo Street, BMT-B11, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Elena Volpi, fax +1 323 442 2809, email volpi@usc.edu
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Abstract

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Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and function with ageing, is a multifactorial condition that slowly develops over decades and becomes a significant contributor to disability in the older population. Malnutrition and alterations in the muscle anabolic response to nutritional stimuli have been identified as potentially preventable factors that may significantly contribute to sarcopenia. In the present article we review the most recent findings regarding the role of nutritional factors in the development, prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Specifically, we focus on the nutritional needs of the elderly; the age-related changes in the response of muscle protein metabolism to feeding and to the endogenous hormones released during feeding; and the role played by the splanchnic tissues in the response of muscle proteins to feeding. Finally, we review the issues relative to the potential use of nutritional therapies, including supplementation, for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

Keywords

AgeingSarcopeniaProtein metabolism
Type
Research Article
Information
Nutrition Research Reviews , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , June 2004 , pp. 69 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2004

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