Protein for the elderly
The results of a study by scientists from Wake Forest University, working under the guidance of associate professor Kristen Beavers, showed that a protein-rich, low-calorie diet can help obese elderly people lose weight, while maintaining muscle mass and increasing bone density.
Attempts to get rid of excess weight in the elderly often lead to depletion of muscle mass and a decrease in bone density. This is fraught with impaired mobility and an increased risk of fractures.
In search of the ideal diet for older people, the authors randomly divided 96 people over the age of 65 into 2 groups. One group followed a low–calorie diet with a high protein content for 6 months - more than 1 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight. At the same time, the second group followed a diet to maintain optimal body weight, including 0.8 g of protein per 1 kg of body weight.
As a result, the participants of the first group not only reduced their body weight more effectively, but also retained muscle mass. At the same time, their fat deposits in the abdomen, thighs and buttocks decreased, which potentially reduces the risk of developing a number of diseases, including diabetes and stroke.
Moreover, it turned out that a high-protein, low-calorie diet improved the quality of the bone tissue of the participants, and also added 0.75 points to the healthy aging index, which takes into account longevity and biomarkers of mortality.
Previously, the authors conducted smaller studies in which they paid a lot of attention to planning and preparing meals for participants. The purpose of the last work, in which a large number of elderly people took part, was to find a method that is more profitable from an economic point of view.
Therefore, the participants of the high-protein low-calorie diet group were asked to consume two diet cocktails and 2 dishes of low-fat protein products and vegetables every day. They could also eat one "healthy snack" each. The participants of the other group had to adhere to their usual diet and lifestyle.
Older people have specific nutritional needs and may need to change their diet as they age. A decrease in muscle mass is a natural part of aging; in addition, the activity of the calorie burning process decreases with age. Therefore, older people need to pay attention to foods rich in nutrients and avoid high-calorie foods depleted of vital nutrients.
Healthy foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, legumes and low-fat dairy products. There may also be a need to control the size of portions, since the amount of food consumed often exceeds a person's needs.
Article by Weaver AA et al. The effect of a hypocaloric, nutritionally complete, higher-protein meal plan on bone density and quality in older adults with obesity: a randomized trial is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Evgenia Ryabtseva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of MedicalNewsToday: What diet is best for older adults?