Collagen Peptides for Seniors
For seniors, collagen supplements are an excellent supplement to avoid lean body mass loss or sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, which comes with aging and is associated with a decreased metabolic rate and reduced strength. Most people begin to lose modest amounts of muscle mass after age 35, and loss of strength increases considerably with age. Possible effects of sarcopenia include decreased muscle strength, problems with mobility, frailty and falls, weak bones (osteoporosis), fractures, decreased activity levels, diabetes, middle‐age weight gain and loss of physical function.
The recommended protein intake for seniors is one gram per kilogram of body weight per day. However, many seniors consume a relatively low-protein diet. Research suggests that the elderly should consume 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to maintain lean body mass. As these protein requirements can be difficult to achieve for the elderly, collagen peptides offer an ideal solution for protein supplementation to help maintain lean muscle mass.
Overall, diet and exercise play a key role in reducing the rate of muscle and strength loss, as even active seniors will experience a decline in muscle function. Research has shown that the onset of sarcopenia can be postponed and its progress delayed by regular physical activity and resistance training. To counteract the effects of sarcopenia, it is necessary to receive adequate dietary protein to maintain lean body mass and to provide sufficient amounts of amino acids for protein and collagen synthesis in all tissues.
Age‐related muscle loss is inevitable, but exercise in combination with adequate protein intake is the key constituent of prevention and management of sarcopenia.