Researchers have completed studies that show that seniors CAN build muscles. By including 30 grams of protein at each meal and adding 3-5 grams of the essential amino acid, leucine, seniors were able to build muscle tissue the way they could at 20! This ground-breaking research has numerous health and well-being implications for those people over 50 years of age, not to mention the potential financial savings in the area of health care. It was previously thought that after age 55, muscle could be maintained but not added to. We now know that new muscle can be laid down after the age of 50.
One cannot think of muscle as only that which allows us to jog five miles, to play basketball, or even just to run or walk. Muscle is necessary for our very life – after all, our heart is muscle and we need muscle power to breathe!
Clinical studies show that a diet including three meals per day containing 30 grams of protein and 5 grams of supplemental leucine with each of those meals, for a total of 90 grams of protein and 15 grams of leucine, aids the older body to build solid muscle mass! Seniors can improve their health and fitness by building strong muscles. In turn, this could aid in the prevention of early frailty and falls which will reduce the number of fractures experienced in the aging population.
We know that if our bodies are strong, we are more likely to be more active. Activity produces healthier bodies, healthier minds and an overall improvement in well-being.
Costs of health care are increasing at an alarming rate. A high percentage of this cost is the result of age-related issues such frailty, falls and fractures, often precipitating a downward slide for the older adult. The deteriorating condition of the person, of course, results in further cost for care.
Cost benefits are not only for the health care industry and are not only financial in nature. The stronger an individual is, the more they are able to do for themselves. This means less onus on family members to assist Mom and Dad and more time for families to just enjoy each other. As well, able seniors will be required to spend less on hired help for chores such as housekeeping, meal preparation and gardening. They’ll have more expendable income to use to enjoy those “golden” years.
Increased muscle mass is definitely a “win-win”.
via Paleohacks Paleo Cookbook Review http://ift.tt/1Bsb2h2
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