Whey Protein with Leucine May Prevent Muscle Loss in the Elderly!



A recent research study set out to determine a nutritional strategy to delay loss of muscle mass in older rats. This condition called sarcopenia is common in elderly adults. Three regimes were chosen and included 1) increase protein intake to stimulate muscle anabolism 2) use a leucine-rich whey protein source to stimulate muscle anabolism and 3) supplement the diet with chamomile, vitamin E, a vitamin D to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. At the end of the study, researchers found that although vitamin supplementation reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, the supplementation of whey protein with leucine was the only regimen that significantly limited the loss of muscle mass in older rats.

High whey protein intake delayed the loss of lean body mass in healthy old rats, whereas protein type and polyphenol/antioxidant supplementation had no effects. PloS one, Vol. 9, No. 9. (2014) by Laurent Mosoni, Eva Gatineau, Philippe Gatellier, et al.  http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13975993