Emerging therapies to treat frailty syndrome in the elderly.
Frailty syndrome (FS) has become increasingly recognized as a major predictor of co-morbidities and mortality in older individuals. Interventions with the potential to benefit frail elders include nutritional supplementation (vitamins D, carotenoids, creatine, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) and exercise modalities (tai chi and cobblestone walking). While these have not been explicitly tested for their impact on FS, vitamin D supplementation appears to offer significant promise in enhancing long-term health of the elderly. Exercise modalities such as tai chi and cobblestone walking, because of probable low risk and ease of participation, may also confer benefit. Additional studies are needed to investigate interventions that directly prevent, delay, and/or ameliorate frailty. Successful therapies may well involve multi-component approaches utilizing a combination of medication, nutritional supplementation, and exercise.
Cherniack
E Paul
EP
Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami and the Miami VA Health Care System, 1201 NW 16 St, Miami, FL 33125, USA. evan.cherniack@med.va.gov
Florez
Hermes J
HJ
Troen
Bruce R
BR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome; D026302:Tai Ji; D016138:Walking; D015431:Weight Loss