Nutritional supplements in support of resistance exercise to counter age-related sarcopenia

Abstract

Age-related sarcopenia, composed of myopenia (a decline in muscle mass) and dynapenia (a decline in muscle strength), can compromise physical function, increase risk of disability, and lower quality of life in older adults. There are no available pharmaceutical treatments for this condition, but evidence shows resistance training (RT) is a viable and relatively low-cost treatment with an exceptionally positive side effect profile. Further evidence suggests that RT-induced increases in muscle mass, strength, and function can be enhanced by certain foods, nutrients, or nutritional supplements. This brief review focuses on adjunctive nutritional strategies, which have a reasonable evidence base, to enhance RT-induced gains in outcomes relevant to sarcopenia and to reducing risk of functional declines.

Keywords: Leu; aging; creatine; dynapenia; function; protein; vitamin D; β-HMB.

FIGURE 1

Absolute protein dose-responses of skeletal muscle myofibrillar protein synthesis in older (71 ± 1 y; n = 43) and younger (22 ± 4 y; n = 65) men. Data are presented as means ± SEMs and were analyzed with a 2-factor ANOVA, but within-group dose differences are not indicated for the sake of clarity. *Significantly different between groups, P < 0.05. FSR, fractional synthetic rate. Adapted from reference with permission.

FIGURE 2

Time course changes in skeletal muscle and RBC EPA plus DHA composition during 4 wk of 5 g ⋅ d⁻¹ supplementation with n–3 PUFAs in younger men. Data presented as means ± SEMs and were analyzed using 1-factor ANOVA for both muscle and blood within RBCs or skeletal muscle, means without a common letter differ, P < 0.05. Adapted from reference with permission.