1. Eating a well-balanced, high-protein diet promotes muscle health.
Protein is the building block of muscles. A lack of protein either from insufficient protein intake, increased protein breakdown, or decreased protein production can collectively exacerbate muscle loss. It is recommended that elderly, sarcopenic individuals consume about 1–1.5 g/kg of plant or fish-based protein daily to help reverse muscle loss and to maintain muscle mass.1–3
Additionally, scientific evidence supports that certain supplements are beneficial for muscle. For example, omega-3 fatty acids help reduce and resolve inflammation, which is important for both the prevention and treatment of muscle loss.4 Omega-3 supplements have been shown to improve muscle composition in cancer patients, highlighting the potential benefits in reversing age-related muscle loss.5 According to meta-analyses of three randomized control trials with over 600 sarcopenic patients, whey protein, leucine, and vitamin D improved muscle mass, grip strength, and physical function.6 There is also data to suggest that vitamin D and creatinine supplements can help manage sarcopenia.7
Another important consideration for muscle is proper hydration. According to the Korea and National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, dehydration was a risk factor for developing sarcopenia.8 Therefore, adequate protein intake, vitamin supplementation, and hydration are important nutritional considerations for maximizing muscle health.
2. Participating in frequent resistance exercise promotes muscle health.
Resistance exercise, also known as strength training, is the recommended approach to increasing muscle mass, strength, and power output with age.9 Resistance exercises reinforce muscle contraction using weights, machines, resistance bands, or body weight, which can be easily incorporated into daily routines to significantly improve muscle index, grip strength, and gait speed in older patients.10 Studies show that within three months of consistent resistance exercise, there is a decline in the individual’s sarcopenia-related index.7 In combination with resistance training, aerobics and balance exercises also improve the physical function and quality of life in sarcopenic patients.11
It is challenging to determine a single exercise regime that will produce the best results for everyone. Variability in age, starting fitness level, types of exercise, and consistency all factor into a person’s progress. However, the data from several studies support that about 2.5 hours of moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise weekly is consistent with improved health outcomes.12
Overall, nutritional supplementation in combination with exercise can improve both muscle strength and function. Therefore, a balanced diet and sufficient resistance training are likely to yield the greatest muscle benefits.
3. Historically, single-target approaches to managing sarcopenia have been unsuccessful
While there are no FDA-approved pharmaceuticals to target muscle decline, at least 19 new drug candidates have been investigated for muscle wasting disease. These include monoclonal antibodies, peptides, or single small molecules that target different aspects of muscle regeneration.13 However, a common feature and limitation of these therapies is that they all involve single targets. Human biology is incredibly complex with thousands of factors influencing numerous cellular pathways, making it challenging to address muscle regeneration and function with a single-target approach. Therefore, there is a need to develop a multi-faceted therapeutic that considers these biological intricacies to maximize efficacy.
Immunis is aiming to address these clinical challenges with a multi-active stem cell-derived therapy. Please refer to the resource titled “The Secretome for Muscle Health and Healthspan” for more information.
