Protein Requirements in the Elderly

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (23) ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Volkert ◽  
Cornel Christian Sieber
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Current Recommendation ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Increased Risk

Adequate protein intake and the maintenance of nitrogen equilibrium are of particular importance in the elderly because this age group is at increased risk of illness and malnutrition. The current recommendation for protein intake of healthy elderly subjects is 0.8 g/kg body weight/day, the same as for younger adults. Nitrogen balance studies in the elderly, however, revealed conflicting results; some studies suggest that not all elderly can achieve a nitrogen balance with a protein intake of 0.8 g/kg body weight/day, particularly if energy supply is not adequate. Beyond the amount of protein needed for nitrogen balance, the optimal protein intake for preservation of lean body mass, body functions, and health is of paramount interest. At present, there is insufficient longer-term research with defined health outcomes to derive recommendations in this regard. Very little is also known about the protein needs of frail and unhealthy elderly. Until more evidence is available, it seems reasonable to ensure a protein intake of at least 0.8 g/kg body weight/day in all elderly persons, particularly in those at risk of malnutrition (e.g., frail and multimorbid elderly). In addition to ascertaining adequate protein and energy intake, physical activity should be encouraged in order to increase energy expenditure and food intake and to facilitate muscle protein anabolism.

scholarly journals Calcium excretion, apparent calcium absorption and calcium balance in young and elderly subjects: influence of protein intake

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphne L. E. Pannemans ◽  
Gertjan Schaafsma ◽  
Klaas R. Westerterp
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Calcium Excretion ◽  
Calcium Balance ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Young And Elderly Subjects

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protein on urinary Ca excretion, apparent Ca absorption and Ca balance in young and elderly subjects. Young adults (n 29) and elderly persons (n 26) consumed diets containing 12% (diet A) and 21% (diet B) of total energy as protein for 3 weeks according to a randomized crossover design. Results showed no differences between the two age groups with respect to the interaction between protein intake and Ca excretion (both in urine and in faeces), apparent Ca absorption and Ca balance. Therefore analyses were done for both age groups separately and also for the whole group. In elderly persons and in the whole group the Ca excretion in faeces (as a percentage of Ca intake) was lower during the higher protein intake (elderly: diet A, 106 (SEM 7)% diet B, 86 (SEM 7) % P = 0·018; whole group: diet A, 99 (SEM 4) % diet B, 84 (SEM 4) % P = 0·003). In young adults faecal Ca excretion tended to be lower when they consumed diet B (diet A: 94 (SEM 5)% diet B: 83 (SEM 6)% P = 0·093). Relative urinary Ca excretion was greater during the higher protein intake in young adults and in the whole group while relative urinary Ca excretion was not different in the elderly (diet A: 15 (SEM 1) %, 14 (SEM 1) %, 15 (SEM 1) % diet B: 16 (SEM 1) %, 16 (SEM 1) % 17 (SEM 2) % for the whole group, the young and elderly subjects respectively, P = 0·019; P = 0·016; P = 0·243).The resulting Ca balance was not influenced by the amount of protein in the diet in young adults. Values for the elderly and for the whole group showed that the Ca balance during diet A was significantly more negative compared with Ca balance during diet B, despite the higher urinary Ca excretion during diet B. It can be concluded that increasing the protein intake from 12 to 21% of total energy ntake had no negative effect on Ca balance.

scholarly journals Functional impact of high protein intake on healthy elderly people

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. E921-E928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephane Walrand ◽  
Kevin R. Short ◽  
Maureen L. Bigelow ◽  
Andrew J. Sweatt ◽  
Susan M. Hutson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Older People ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Decline in muscle mass, protein synthesis, and mitochondrial function occurs with age, and amino acids are reported to enhance both muscle protein synthesis and mitochondrial function. It is unclear whether increasing dietary protein intake corrects postabsorptive muscle changes in aging. We determined whether a 10-day diet of high [HP; 3.0 g protein·kg fat-free mass (FFM)−1·day−1] vs. usual protein intake (UP; 1.5 g protein·kg FFM−1·day−1) favorably affects mitochondrial function, protein metabolism, and nitrogen balance or adversely affects insulin sensitivity and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in 10 healthy younger (24 ± 1 yr) and 9 older (70 ± 2 yr) participants in a randomized crossover study. Net daily nitrogen balance increased equally in young and older participants, but postabsorptive catabolic state also increased, as indicated by higher whole body protein turnover and leucine oxidation with no change in protein synthesis. Maximal muscle mitochondrial ATP production rate was lower in older people, with no change occurring in diet. GFR was lower in older people, and response to HP was significantly different between the two groups, with a significant increase occurring only in younger people, thus widening the differences in GFR between the young and older participants. In conclusion, a short-term high-protein diet increased net daily nitrogen balance but increased the postabsorptive use of protein as a fuel. HP did not enhance protein synthesis or muscle mitochondrial function in either young or older participants. Additionally, widening differences in GFR between young and older patients is a potential cause of concern in using HP diet in older people.

Walking with Visual Restrictions in Healthy Elderly and Young Adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Gallagher ◽  
Yves Lajoie ◽  
Michel Guay
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Visual Information ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Healthy Elderly

ABSTRACTVisual requirements for a simple walking task were evaluated for young and elderly persons to determine if, with normal aging, elderly subjects require more visual information. Ten young adults and 10 elderly people were asked to complete a simple walking task within predetermined pathway boundaries under two conditions of visual restriction. In the reactive condition, subjects automatically received a 200 ms flash of visual information at the halfway point of the walkway. For the predictive condition, subjects did not receive any visual information during the walking trial, but were equipped with an emergency button that would provide 200 ms of visual information whenever they needed it. For both experimental conditions, subjects received additional flashes of visual information if they stepped out of the walkway boundaries. Results showed that older persons stepped out of bounds more often in the reactive condition and gave themselves more visual cues than the younger subjects in the predictive condition. The relative importance of vision during locomotion seems to be higher in the elderly population when compared to young adults.

Hyperleptinemia as a Risk Factor for High Blood Pressure in the Elderly

2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175
Author(s):  
Víctor Manuel Mendoza-Núñez ◽  
Elsa Correa-Muñoz ◽  
Elsa A. Garfias-Cruz ◽  
Martha A. Sánchez-Rodriguez ◽  
Rosa Elba Galván-Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Serum Leptin ◽  
Healthy Elderly

Abstract Context.—Studies have demonstrated that high serum leptin levels are associated with aging. However, we do not know whether hyperleptinemia is a relevant risk factor for high blood pressure (HBP) in the elderly. Objective.—To determine the relationship between hyperleptinemia and HBP in the elderly. Design.—A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out in a convenience sample of 70 healthy elderly persons comprising 46 women (mean age, 67 ± 5.8 years) and 24 men (mean age, 73 ± 7.5 years), and a group of 91 elderly persons with HBP, comprising 62 women (mean age, 67 ± 8.2 years) and 29 men (mean age, 70 ± 0.3 years). We measured serum leptin levels through the radioimmunoassay method. Results.—The elderly subjects with HBP had significantly higher leptin levels than the healthy elderly subjects (P = .02). Furthermore, in female elderly subjects we observed a statistically significant correlation between systolic blood pressure and leptin (r = 0.37, P = .003), as well as systolic blood pressure and age (r = 0.29, P = .02), but not with diastolic blood pressure. In male elderly subjects, there was no correlation between leptin and systolic blood pressure or leptin and diastolic blood pressure. However, hyperleptinemia as risk factor for HBP was nearly 5 times higher in men than in women (men, odds ratio = 18.0, 95% confidence interval 3.2–100.9, P < .001 vs women, odds ratio = 3.33, 95% confidence interval 1.4–7.4, P = .003). Conclusions.—Our data suggest that hyperleptinemia was a significant risk factor for HBP elderly individuals, mainly in men.

scholarly journals Pharmacological and Pharmacodynamic Implications of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Therapy in Elderly Arthritic Patients

1990 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Watson Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
The Elderly ◽  
Hepatic Function ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Multiple Drug ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Physiological Changes ◽  
Inflammatory Drug ◽  
Disease States ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

There is growing evidence chat elderly patients may be more likely to develop adverse drug reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/analgesic therapy. This may be due to the physiological changes which accompany ageing as well as multiple drug therapies commonly used in the elderly. The elderly may also be more prone to gastrointestinal adverse side effects. There is no satisfactory definition of the elderly. Although age 65 is widely accepted as a chronological definition, many elderly persons remain healthy until the age of 75, and furthermore, healthy elderly subjects differ little from healthy young persons. lt is with the frail elderly, ie, those with multiple diseases and multiple drug therapies, that problems of medication occur. Physiological changes, which include reduced muscle mass, total body water and albumin levels, as well as effects on renal and hepatic function, affect pharmacokinetic factors, including absorption, distribution, biotransformation and renal clearance. Assessment of the multiple disease states and resultant organ failure in elderly subjects is therefore necessary.

scholarly journals The Effect of Elevated Protein Intake on DNA Damage in Older People: Comparative Secondary Analysis of Two Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3479
Author(s):  
Agnes Draxler ◽  
Bernhard Franzke ◽  
Johannes T. Cortolezis ◽  
Nicola A. Gillies ◽  
Sandra Unterberger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Muscle Protein Synthesis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Austrian Study

A high protein intake at old age is important for muscle protein synthesis, however, this could also trigger protein oxidation with the potential risk for DNA damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an increased protein intake at recommended level or well above would affect DNA damage or change levels of reduced (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) in community-dwelling elderly subjects. These analyses were performed in two randomized intervention studies, in Austria and in New Zealand. In both randomized control trials, the mean protein intake was increased with whole foods, in the New Zealand study (n = 29 males, 74.2 ± 3.6 years) to 1.7 g/kg body weight/d (10 weeks intervention; p < 0.001)) in the Austrian study (n = 119 males and females, 72.9 ± 4.8 years) to 1.54 g/kg body weight/d (6 weeks intervention; p < 0.001)). In both studies, single and double strand breaks and as formamidopyrimidine—DNA glycosylase-sensitive sites were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells or whole blood. Further, resistance to H2O2 induced DNA damage, GSH, GSSG and CRP were measured. Increased dietary protein intake did not impact on DNA damage markers and GSH/GSSG levels. A seasonal-based time effect (p < 0.05), which led to a decrease in DNA damage and GSH was observed in the Austrian study. Therefore, increasing the protein intake to more than 20% of the total energy intake in community-dwelling seniors in Austria and New Zealand did not increase measures of DNA damage, change glutathione status or elevate plasma CRP.

scholarly journals Involuntary weight loss in elderly individuals: assessment and treatment

2001 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio Cesar Moriguti ◽  
Eny Kiyomi Uemura Moriguti ◽  
Eduardo Ferriolli ◽  
João de Castilho Cação ◽  
Nelson Iucif Junior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Protein Energy Malnutrition ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk

CONTEXT: The loss of body weight and fat late in life is associated with premature death and increased risk of disability, even after excluding elderly subjects who have a preexisting disease. Although it is important to recognize that periods of substantially positive or negative energy balance and body weight fluctuation occur as a normal part of life, weight losses greater than 5% over 6 months should be investigated. We can divide the major causes of weight loss in the elderly into 4 categories: social, psychiatric, due to medical conditions, and age-related. The clinical evaluation should include a careful history and physical examination. If these fail to provide clues to the weight loss, simple diagnostic tests are indicated. A period of watchful waiting is preferable to blind pursuit of additional diagnostic testing that may yield few useful data, if the results of these initial tests are normal. The first step in managing patients with weight loss is to identify and treat any specific causative or contributing conditions and to provide nutritional support when indicated. Non-orexigenic drugs have found an established place in the management of protein-energy malnutrition. Early attention to nutrition and prevention of weight loss during periods of acute stress, particularly during hospitalization, may be extremely important, as efforts directed at re-feeding are often unsuccessful. DESIGN: Narrative review.

scholarly journals An Ancient Boxing Exercise Improves Physical Functions, Balance, and Quality of Life in Healthy Elderly Persons

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Taweesak Janyacharoen ◽  
Thitipa Srisamai ◽  
Kittisak Sawanyawisuth
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Physical Functions

It has been shown that traditional dances can be effective in improving physical functions in the elderly persons. Unlike other traditional dance exercises, the ancient Thai boxing exercise may be suitable for elderly persons in other ethnicities who are interested in boxing. This randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of the exercise on physical functions in elderly subjects. Healthy elderly subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the ancient Thai boxing group. The control group received education about the exercise and a home program of daily practice. The ancient Thai boxing group performed the modified ancient Thai boxing exercise for 12 weeks. There were six outcomes in this study which were recorded at baseline and at the end of study (week 12) including a six-minute walk test (6MWT), five times sit to stand test (FTSST), flexibility by trunk flexometer, time up and go test (TUGT), and Berg balance scale (BBS), as well as a test to determine quality of life (QOL). All outcomes were compared to the baseline, as well as between groups. There were 56 subjects enrolled in the study, 28 in the control group, and 28 in the ancient Thai boxing group, with mean ages of 68.6 and 65.9 years, respectively. The majority of subjects in both groups were women (96.4% and 89.3%). After 12 weeks of study, significant differences were found in terms of all seven outcomes between the two groups. For example, the 6MWT in the control group was 415.8 vs 480.3 m in the ancient boxing group. In conclusion, the 12-week ancient boxing exercise significantly improved physical functions, balance, and QOL in the elderly.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Balance and Its relation with Energy and Protein Intake in Criticaly Ill Elderly Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Niken Churrniadita ◽  
Luciana Budiati Sutanto ◽  
Rudyanto Sedono
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Nitrogen Balance ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Consecutive Sampling

Introduction:Nitrogen balance in criticaly ill patients has the tendency to be negative due to stress response. In the elderly patients, the metabolic changes risk to worsening nitrogen balance. The aim of this study was to determine nitrogen balance and its correlation with energy and protein intake in critically ill elderly patients within 48 hours in ICU.Methods: The method was cross sectional, consecutive sampling on 26 critically ill elderly subjects. Inclusion criteria were patients admitted to ICU, age >60 years old, male/female, whose family/relatives agreed to join this study. Patients who had urine output <0,5 mL/kg/hours were excluded. Data collected were energy and protein intake, urinary urea nitrogen (UUN), and nitrogen balance during 24 hours I and II of admission.Results: The median age was 70 (61 – 85)  years old, body mass index was 22. 9 ­+  2.7 kg/m2, most of the subjects were surgical patients. In  24 hours I and II, the nitrogen balances were -5.2 (-31.2 − -4.1) and  -4.5 + 4.6 respectively, energy intakes were not significantly different; 78.8 + 45.0% and 91.1 + 50.2% respectively, and protein intakes were significantly different; 34.1 + 19.3 g/d and  41.2 + 21.3 g/d respectively. There was positive correlation between nitrogen balance and energy intake; r=0.6 and r=0.5, and also between protein intake; r=0.5 and r=0.4, in 24 hours I and II respectively.Conclusion: There were significantly positive correlation between nitrogen balance with energy and protein intake.

The influence of dynamic visual environments on postural sway in the elderly

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
L.L. Borger ◽  
S.L. Whitney ◽  
M.S. Redfern ◽  
J.M. Furman
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Visual Scene ◽  
Elderly Subjects ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Healthy Elderly ◽  
Young Subjects

Postural sway during stance has been found to be sensitive to moving visual scenes in young adults, children, and those with vestibular disease. The effect of visual environments on balance in elderly individuals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare postural sway responses of healthy elderly to those of young subjects when both groups were exposed to a moving visual scene. Peak to peak, root mean squared, and mean velocity of the center of pressure were analyzed under conditions combining four moving scene amplitudes ( 2 . 5 ∘ , 5 ∘ , 7 . 5 ∘ , 10 ∘ ) and two frequencies of scene movement (0.1 Hz, 0.25 Hz). Each visual condition was tested with a fixed floor and sway referenced platform. Results showed that elderly subjects swayed more than younger subjects when experiencing a moving visual scene under all conditions. The elderly were affected more than the young by sway referencing the platform. The differences between the two age groups were greater at increased amplitudes of scene movement. These results suggest that elderly are more influenced by dynamic visual information for balance than the young, particularly when cues from the ankles are altered.

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