One in three adults over 50 suffers from low muscle mass and function

Findings from a review paper published in Age and Ageing show that approximately one in three adults aged 50 years and older suffers from sarcopenia, a condition that could interfere with ageing adults’ ability to live a full and active life.  Sarcopenia is characterised by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Despite the prevalence of the condition, the paper found that adults who increased their amount of resistance exercise and incorporated specific nutrition into their diet such as β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB)* and essential amino acids (EAA) including leucine showed improved muscle mass, function or strength. Professor Finbarr Martin, Consultant