Dairy is vital in benefiting ageing muscles, says The Dairy Council
Dairy may play a part in helping mitigate loss of muscle function in older people, according to Dr Anne Mullen, director of nutrition at the UK’s Dairy Council. She was speaking at a seminar at the University of Loughborough, which brought together diet and lifestyle experts from around thecountry. The seminar addressed the benefits of dairy based proteins for ageing muscles.
Research shows that age related muscle and strength loss is thought to be driven by an impaired muscle building response. It is this diminished muscle response in old age which is somewhat inevitable, however experts explained that it is worsened through an inactive lifestyle and excess body fat. Therefore, in old age, dietary protein requirements to support muscle mass and function are altered and the source of dietary protein, such as that found in dairy foods, is particularly important.
Dr Leigh Breen, a senior lecturer in exercise physiology and metabolism at the University of Birmingham, whose expertise centres on understanding the regulation of muscle metabolism in health and disease, notes, “Age related muscle and strength loss presents the public with a considerable socio-economic burden given the expanding ageing population.
“Nutritional support represents the prerequisite framework to protect muscle health in old age, and dairy source proteins should be at the forefront of this for our ageing population.
“Dairy sourced proteins possess potent muscle building properties and may represent a potential means to preserve muscle mass and function with advancing age.”
Dr Mullen adds, “With the UK’s ageing population, we need to be aware of how our diets can help our muscles us as we get older. Dairy foods are nutrient-rich sources of protein. This is something that should receive greater attention.”