Protein Supplementation for the Prevention and Management of Sarcopenia in the Elderly

摘要

Sarcopenia is common in patients with many physiological or pathological conditions, especially in aging people. Nutrition plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is often related to insufficient protein intake in the elderly. Muscle protein synthesis occurs mainly through mTORC1 pathway, and degradation occurs by ubiquitination-mediated pathways. This review summarizes the growing body of evidence, including substantial clinical trials, which increasing the protein intake can serve as the basis for preventing and managing muscle loss in patients with sarcopenia. Supplementation of essential amino acids (EAA), branched chain amino acids (BCAA), and especially leucine-rich whey protein may promote muscle protein synthesis by activating the mTORC1 signaling pathway, and may inhibit protein degradation by decreasing ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Taking in sufficient energy and protein and engaging in active exercise are the main methods of stimulating muscle protein synthesis and preventing or managing sarcopenia. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen research on the use of protein supplements for not only elderly patients, but also those with tumor cachexia and other diseases related to sarcopenia.