Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2018 Dec;22(4):167-175. 10.4235/agmr.18.0046.

Protein Intake Recommendation for Korean Older Adults to Prevent Sarcopenia: Expert Consensus by the Korean Geriatric Society and the Korean Nutrition Society

Affiliations
  • 1Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea.
  • 2Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 3Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
  • 4Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 5Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 6Sarcopenia Research Center, Maeil Innovation Center, Maeil Dairies Co., Ltd., Pyeongtaek, Korea.
  • 7Institute of Sport Science, Institute on Aging, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 8Endocrine Division, Department of Internal Medicine, CM Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
  • 9Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Dankook University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 10Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 11Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 12Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 13Department of Food and Nutrition, Gachon University, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 14Department of Family Medicine, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. chunwon62@naver.com

Abstract

Sarcopenia, a common clinical syndrome in older adults, is defined as decreased muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. Since sarcopenia is associated with the incidence of functional decline, falls, and even mortality in older adults, researchers and health care providers have been keen to accumulate clinical evidence to advocate the screening and prevention of sarcopenia progression in older adults. The factors that may accelerate the loss of muscle mass and function include chronic diseases, inactivity, and deficiency in appropriate nutritional support. Among these, nutritional support is considered an initial step to delay the progression of muscle wasting and improve physical performance in community-dwelling older adults. However, a nationwide study suggested that most Korean older adults do not consume sufficient dietary protein to maintain their muscle mass. Furthermore, considering age-associated anabolic resistance to dietary protein, higher protein intake should be emphasized in older adults than in younger people. To develop a dietary protein recommendation for older adults in Korea, we reviewed the relevant literature, including interventional studies from Korea. From these, we recommend that older adults consume at least 1.2 g of protein per kg of body weight per day (g/kg/day) to delay the progression of muscle wasting. The amount we recommend (1.2 g/kg/day) is 31.4% higher than the previously suggested recommended daily allowance (i.e., 0.91 g/kg/day) for the general population of Korea. Also, evidence to date suggests that the combination of exercise and nutritional support may enhance the beneficial effects of protein intake in older adults in Korea. We found that the current studies are insufficient to build population-based guidelines for older adults, and we call for further researches in Korea.

Keyword

Protein; Nutrition; Sarcopenia; Older people

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Adult*
Body Weight
Chronic Disease
Consensus*
Dietary Proteins
Health Personnel
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Mass Screening
Mortality
Nutritional Support
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Sarcopenia*
Dietary Proteins
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