• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
    • Dynamic Chiropractic
      • Newspaper
      • Subscription
    • The American Chiropractor
      • Magazine
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Sponsored Content
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyers Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students

This demographic is overlooked when it comes to whey protein

Tina Beychok November 28, 2017

A recent whey protein study appears to have found that it may actually offset loss of muscle mass and strength as a result of sarcopenia due to age.

You have no doubt heard the famous quote “growing old is not for the faint of heart.”

Even if we take growing old with humor and good grace, there is still a certain amount of truth in that quote. As we all age, we find it more difficult to perform certain actions that we were previously able to do quite easily. It could make even the most good-natured among us frustrated and disappointed. In fact, you very well may have heard similar such sentiments from some of your elderly patients, particularly if they are used to being active and independent.

One of the most common causes for reduced activity among the elderly is a condition known as sarcopenia, or reduced lean muscle mass and strength. This reduced muscle capability can often lead to falls, osteoporosis, hospitalization, and sometimes death among the elderly.1

In fact, a 2014 study found a prevalence rate for sarcopenia of 1 percent to 29 percent for elderly living in the community, and 14 percent to 33 percent among those living in long-term care situations.1 However, a recent study appears to have found that a common nutritional supplement may actually offset loss of muscle mass and strength as a result of sarcopenia due to age.

What causes sarcopenia?

Sarcopenia is caused by two of the most common problems often plaguing the elderly – a sedentary lifestyle and lack of proper nutrition, particularly protein.2,3 A lack of exercise can lead to muscle breakdown, which can start a cycle of muscle loss, injury, improper muscle repair, and then another injury.

A deficiency of protein in the diet can slow down necessary muscle growth to carry out such repairs after an injury.2,3

Diagnosing sarcopenia is relatively easy, with the aid of scanning for bone density, as well as testing for grip strength and performing a gait analysis. Several studies have recommended a combination of a nutritional and an exercise intervention.1

What is whey?

Whey is one of the two types of protein found in milk and contains amino acids that can help build muscle mass.4 When cheese or yogurt are made from milk, the fat coagulates, which separates out from the whey.

The watery substance that sometimes is found at the top of yogurt containers is actually whey. It is processed into a powder with flavoring added to become a protein supplement.

Whey protein supplement to stimulate lean muscle mass

In a recent article in PLOS ONE, a group of 49 healthy older men were given either whey protein or a control substance, twice daily for 20 weeks, to determine the effect upon lean muscle mass and upper body strength.5 For the first six weeks, the subjects were only given the supplements. For the following 12 weeks, they also underwent an exercise program.

The researchers found that subjects who took the whey protein developed more upper body strength and lean muscle mass than those who took the control substance.5 Furthermore, exercise increased this effect.

While it may still be true that getting old is not for the faint of heart, adding whey protein into your elderly patients’ diet, along with an exercise program, may make it easier for them to face the prospect of getting older.

References

  1. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Landi F, Schneider SM, et al. (2014). Prevalence of and interventions for sarcopenia in ageing adults: A systematic review. Report of the International Sarcopenia Initiative (EWGSOP and IWGS). Age and Ageing, 43(6), 748-759.
  2. Barbieri E, Agostini D, Polidori E, et al. (2015). The pleiotropic effect of physical exercise on mitochondrial dynamics in aging skeletal muscle. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 917085.
  3. Berner LA, Becker G, Wise M, Doi J. (2013). Characterization of dietary protein among older adults in the United States: Amount, animal sources, and meal patterns. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 113(6), 809-815.
  4. Whey protein 101. Accessed 10/24/2017.
  5. Bell KE, Snijders T, Zulyniak M, et al. (2017). A whey protein-based multi-ingredient nutritional supplement stimulates gains in lean body mass and strength in healthy older men: A randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 12(7), e0181387.

Related Posts

  • Foot Levelers’ Stabilizers Offer Comfort to Workers Who Stand on Hard SurfacesFoot Levelers’ Stabilizers Offer Comfort to Workers Who Stand on Hard Surfaces
  • Most DCs go about picking a chiropractic table the wrong wayMost DCs go about picking a chiropractic table the wrong way
  • Pro orthotics help Major League Baseball players from the ground upPro orthotics help Major League Baseball players from the ground up
  • Multidisciplinary, evidence-based process for hospital-based standardized spine care results in minimized LBP and treatment costsMultidisciplinary, evidence-based process for hospital-based standardized spine care results in minimized LBP and treatment costs
  • Carlson Laboratories introduces E-Gem Lip CareCarlson Laboratories introduces E-Gem Lip Care
  • Vitamin C with quercetin benefits for inflammation, COVID, heart disease, type 2 diabetesVitamin C with quercetin benefits for inflammation, COVID, heart disease, type 2 diabetes

Filed Under: Nutritional Supplements, Resource Center

Current Issue

CE issue 2 cover

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

Compare Subscriptions

Dynamic Chiropractic

The American Chiropractor

3948 3rd Street South #279,

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone 904.285.6020

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Podcast Wins Gold in the AVA Digital Awards
    Foundation for Chiropractic logo
  • Foot Levelers Names Jamie Greenawalt as President, Signifies a New Era of Growth for the World’s Leading Provider of Flexible Custom-Crafted Orthotics
  • Logan University names Petrocco-Napuli new dean for college of chiropractic