Myoprotective Whole Foods, Muscle Health and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review of Observational and Intervention Studies in Older Adults

Abstract

Decline in skeletal muscle strength and mass (sarcopenia) accelerates with age, leading to adverse health outcomes and poor quality of life. Diet plays a crucial role in muscle ageing being an important element of a healthy lifestyle. However, unlike single nutrients, such as dietary protein, or dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, the relationship between individual whole foods and muscle health has not been systematically evaluated. We aimed to investigate which whole foods (meat, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables, and non-liquid dairy) may be beneficial (myoprotective) for ageing muscle and sarcopenia in adults aged ≥ 50 years. Nineteen observational and nine intervention studies were identified through systematic searches of the four electronic databases (last search: March 2020). The synthesis of findings showed strong and consistent evidence for a beneficial effect of lean red meat on muscle mass or lean tissue mass in both observational and intervention studies. Higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with better muscle function in observational studies, but the evidence from intervention studies was scarce. Non-liquid dairy foods were beneficial for muscle mass in both observational and intervention studies. There was moderate evidence for the role of these foods in muscle strength and sarcopenia, and limited or inconclusive evidence for the benefits of other whole foods (e.g., fish, eggs) for muscle health in older adults. Although current nutritional recommendations are often based on a single nutrient approach, further research about the role of protein-rich and other foods in muscle health will allow for the development of guidelines that are based on whole foods, also highlighting the potential importance of non-protein nutrients within these foods for myoprotection in older adults.

Global, regional, and national consumption of animal-source foods between 1990 and 2018: findings from the Global Dietary Database

“… 4 Reducing dairy, poultry, and eggs to the targets would have smaller sustainability impacts 4 and little health benefit, 51 and some populations may benefit from increasing their currently low intakes of these foods closer to the targets. 29 , 52 , 53 Our findings show that few countries in 2018 met the Eat– Lancet target for reduced total red meat (3·8% of countries, based on a target of ≤98 g/week of unprocessed red meat and processed meat combined [processed meat included processed poultry]), less than half for fish (43·2% of countries ≤196 g/week of seafood), and eggs (33·5% of countries ≤91 g/week), but most for dairy (83·8% of countries ≤250 g/day of milk, cheese, and yoghurt combined).…”

Association of nutrient-derived dietary patterns with sarcopenia and its components in community-dwelling older Japanese: a cross-sectional study

“…The pattern we identified was positively associated with fish, soybean products, potatoes, most vegetables, mushrooms, seaweeds and fruits. In a recent review of studies of the relationship between individual whole foods and muscle health, a higher intake of fruits and vegetables was beneficial for muscle function in observational studies [43]. Although there was limited or inconclusive evidence for other whole foods (e.g., fish and soy products) in relation to sarcopenia and muscle-related outcomes [43], a combination of these food groups may contribute to nutrient adequacy for a range of nutrients for sarcopenia and muscle-related outcomes in older adults.…”

Daily Vegetables Intake and Response to COPD Rehabilitation. The Role of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and DNA Damage

“…A systematic review showed a positive association between fruit and vegetables intake (separate and together) and several measures of muscle strength and function, i.e., walking speed, chair rise, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Senior Fitness Test, grip strength, and leg extension strength in a population aged over 70 years. These findings have been challenged by the scarce evidence from intervention studies concerning the effect of a diet rich in vegetables on muscle strength and sarcopenia [ 57 ]. The mechanisms through which a diet rich in vegetables may offer myoprotection are not completely understood, it is possible that different constituents in vegetables may have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially enhancing muscle function.…”