Nutritional supplements in support of resistance exercise to counter age-related sarcopenia

Adv Nutr. 2015 Jul 15;6(4):452-60. doi: 10.3945/an.115.008367. Print 2015 Jul.

Abstract

Age-related sarcopenia, composed of myopenia (a decline in muscle mass) and dynapenia (a decline in muscle strength), can compromise physical function, increase risk of disability, and lower quality of life in older adults. There are no available pharmaceutical treatments for this condition, but evidence shows resistance training (RT) is a viable and relatively low-cost treatment with an exceptionally positive side effect profile. Further evidence suggests that RT-induced increases in muscle mass, strength, and function can be enhanced by certain foods, nutrients, or nutritional supplements. This brief review focuses on adjunctive nutritional strategies, which have a reasonable evidence base, to enhance RT-induced gains in outcomes relevant to sarcopenia and to reducing risk of functional declines.

Keywords: Leu; aging; creatine; dynapenia; function; protein; vitamin D; β-HMB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging*
  • Creatine / administration & dosage
  • Diet
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leucine / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Muscle Strength
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Quality of Life
  • Resistance Training*
  • Sarcopenia / therapy*
  • Valerates / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Valerates
  • beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid
  • Leucine
  • Creatine