title: The importance of dietary protein for muscle health in inactive, hospitalized older adults.
abstract: Dietary protein and amino acids are necessary for overall human health. Insufficient protein intake induces a negative protein balance with adverse outcomes such as muscle atrophy and functional decline--outcomes that are worsened in older adults. Furthermore, during inactivity, such as bed rest/hospitalization, skeletal muscle protein synthesis is reduced, protein balance is negative, and older adults lose significant amounts of muscle. Dietary protein and amino acid supplementation (∼ 30 g protein and ∼ 3 g leucine) stimulate skeletal muscle protein anabolism in healthy, community-dwelling older adults and may be considered as possible nutritional interventions to improve the muscle protein balance and potentially support skeletal muscle maintenance in hospitalized older adults. The following is a timely review of metabolic and dietary challenges faced by hospitalized older adults and potential dietary protein and amino acids solutions for maintaining skeletal muscle health during hospitalization-induced inactivity in this population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
authors.forename: Anna E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Thalacker-Mercer
authors.forename: Micah J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Drummond
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001510:Bed Rest; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D057185:Sedentary Behavior
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins
keywords: hospitalization; insulin resistance; leucine; protein metabolism