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The association between beef intake and muscle mass in older Americans
Author(s) -
Morris Martha Savaria,
Jacques Paul F
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.332.2
Subject(s) - sarcopenia , muscle mass , wasting , anthropometry , lean body mass , population , medicine , environmental health , beef cattle , gerontology , zoology , biology , body weight
The loss of muscle mass, also known as sarcopenia, frequently accompanies the aging process. When muscle mass is lost, so is strength, and the result may be reduced quality of life and increased susceptibility to falls. Sarcopenia is often thought of as an inevitable consequence of living to an advanced age. However, it is possible that what builds muscle in youth also maintains muscle as we age. A diet rich in animal protein, such as beef, is frequently recommended for youthful body builders because experience has shown that such a diet builds muscle and increases strength. We used dietary and anthropometric data collected on older NHANES participants to evaluate the association between beef consumption and muscle mass. In multivariate analyses, we found that beef intakes above the population median were associated with greater muscle mass regardless of exercise. However, those study participants who both exercised vigorously and had high beef intakes were the least likely to have experienced muscle wasting. These results need to be confirmed by other studies, but they suggest that lean beef can play a role in healthy aging. This research was supported by the Beef Checkoff, through the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and by USDA's Agricultural Research Service under agreement No. 58‐1950‐7‐707.