The role of dietary plant and animal protein intakes on mitigating sarcopenia risk
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Publication Title
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care
Abstract
Purpose of review
To highlight contemporary findings comparing the digestibility of animal and plant proteins, their stimulatory effects on muscle protein synthesis, and associations with sarcopenia.
Recent findings
Animal proteins are more digestible than plant proteins, resulting in greater amino acid availability and stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. However, isolated plant proteins, plant protein blends, and modified plant proteins enriched with indispensable amino acids can elicit comparable digestion and absorption kinetics to animal proteins. More research is needed to determine whether these modified plant protein sources can effectively mitigate sarcopenia risk.
Summary
Both animal and plant protein foods can be incorporated into a healthful eating plan that limits risk of age-related diseases, such as sarcopenia. Humans eat food rather than isolated nutrients; as such, considering the context of the overall diet and its impact on health, instead of solely focusing on individual nutrients in isolation, is important.
Link to Published Version
Recommended Citation
Carbone, J. W., & Pasiakos, S. M. (2022). The role of dietary plant and animal protein intakes on mitigating sarcopenia risk. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 25(6), 425–429. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000000855