Sarcopenia and nutrition – All about muscle loss in the elderly and the role of protein
Sarcopenia, or muscle loss in old age, is a growing problem in healthcare. Fortunately, with the right diet and exercise, you can do a lot to reduce loss of muscle mass and strength. Proteins, in particular, play a crucial role in this. In this blog, we explain what sarcopenia is, what the risk factors are and how nutrition – and products like Frezz Protein – can help maintain muscle mass.
In short
- Sarcopenia = age-related muscle loss leading to reduced strength and mobility.
- It starts as early as around age 50 and can have serious consequences.
- Causes: old age, inactivity, malnutrition and disease.
- Solution: get enough exercise + consume enough protein daily.
- Frezz Protein is a practical way to supplement protein in elderly or care patients.
Sarcopenia and nutrition – How to prevent muscle loss in the elderly?
Sarcopenia, or muscle loss in old age, is a growing problem in healthcare. Fortunately, with the right diet and exercise, you can do a lot to reduce loss of muscle mass and strength. Proteins, in particular, play a crucial role in this. In this blog, we explain what sarcopenia is, what the risk factors are and how nutrition – and products like Frezz Protein – can help maintain muscle mass.
In short
- Sarcopenia = age-related muscle loss leading to reduced strength and mobility.
- It starts as early as around age 50 and can have serious consequences.
- Causes: old age, inactivity, malnutrition and disease.
- Solution: get enough exercise + consume enough protein daily.
- Frezz Protein is a practical way to supplement protein in elderly or care patients.
What is sarcopenia?
Sarcopenia is the gradual loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and muscle function. It occurs mainly in the elderly, often from the age of 50 onwards. From then on, people lose an average of 1-2% muscle mass per year. Without action, this can lead to:
- Reduced mobility
- Greater risk of falling
- Slower rehabilitation
- Reduced quality of life
Sarcopenia is thus not a harmless sign of old age, but a serious health problem.
Causes and risk factors
Sarcopenia results from a combination of factors:
- Ageing – natural decline of muscle cells
- Too little protein – not enough building muscle
- Inactivity – muscle mass decreases with little exercise
- Illness or hospitalisation – immobilisation accelerates loss
- Malnutrition, chronic diseases or medication use can also play a role.
The role of nutrition and proteins
Proper nutrition plays a key role in counteracting sarcopenia. Proteins, in particular, are essential. They provide the building blocks for maintaining and building muscle mass.
The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guideline recommends for elderly and frail patients:
- 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein per kg body weight per day
- Distribution over several times a day (e.g. breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
For many people, it is difficult to achieve this with regular food. Therefore, protein-enriched products such as juices, smoothies or shakes are a convenient and tasty addition.
Oranka Frezz Protein: practical solution
At Oranka, with Frezz Protein, we offer a ready-made solution for elderly people and patients with increased protein needs. These protein-enriched fruit juices are specially developed for care and support muscle recovery and muscle preservation – also for people with reduced appetite or swallowing difficulties.
Available in:
- Apple juice with protein (200ml & 1L – 7.1g protein per 100ml)
- Orange juice with protein (200ml & 1L – 7.35g protein per 100ml)
Advantages:
- Rich in protein without feeling like a shake
- Score 0 (“Thin”) within the IDDSI Framework
- Suitable for people with swallowing difficulties(dysphagia)
- Fresh, fruity and easy drinking
- Also useful in case of reduced appetite
What is IDDSI?
The International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) provides a scale (from 0 to 7) that describes the consistency of food and drinks.
Score 0 = “Thin”, or completely liquid – similar to water.
Frezz Protein falls into this category, making it a safe choice for people with swallowing difficulties.
Frequently asked questions about Frezz E+ protein-enriched drinks
Do you have questions about using Frezz E+ in care or rehabilitation?
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about our whey protein-enriched fruit drinks.
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