Annie Sawyer, Ph. D.
I am sure that there is not a bodybuilder who doesn’t know or take a combination of whey protein and carnitine religiously and in a ratio his private trainer has prescribed for him. But I am also quite sure that there are few older old people who are informed by their GP that this combination is also working for building muscles in case of a progressive muscle loss (sarcopenia) while helping them to boost energy supply, making aging easier option.
Sarcopenia (in Greek means “poverty of flesh”) is one of the most under-recognized and under-diagnosed degenerative diseases expressed in a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with advanced aging. Old age replaces muscles with fat and fibrotic (scar) tissue, that can cause weakness, progressive frailty and increased mortality. Due to the extreme muscle loss as a result of diminishing anabolic signals and increased catabolic ones (when the body is eating itself) pro-inflammatory cytokines are also secreted. And in fact in progressive aging we have acceleration of most if not all chronic degenerative diseases, followed by a decreased immune answer to banal infection. We have to remember that growth hormone and testosterone (well known anabolic hormones) are naturally diminished if not totally inhibited what can add to the above picture.
I must agree that it is a sad fact in life that the older we get, the longer it takes us to get in shape if at all. But, according to a new study from Arizona State University, having protein shake containing whey after a light workout may help to build muscle. The participants in this study (65y old and over) were divided into 2 groups that were offered a formula containing either 15 grams of whey protein, essential amino acids or a formula with non-essential amino acids. The Arizona study concluded that the group on whey protein could build muscle even in those over 65y. The main aim of this study was to compare whey protein with taking amino acid supplements separately (both, essential and non-essential amino acids), that means the scientists were looking to see if improvement came from the amino acids per se or from the whey protein. A substance called –Phenylalanine (that measures the muscle protein) was measured over the next 3 1/2 hours. Only people in the whey group experienced an increasing level of their phenylalanine levels what proved that they were the ones who had the luck to built muscle. Whey protein was proven superior in building up key muscle mass indicators. Furthermore, whey improved their insulin response compared to both the amino acid groups. So whey protein might help preserve your muscle mass as you age.
Whey is a naturally occurring protein found in cow’s milk and the highest quality form of whey is extracted and purified during the cheese-making process. Rich in essential amino acids, whey is easily digested and utilized by the body, even by older old (atrophic) individuals. The tastiest and easiest way to get muscle-building whey is in a protein shake or smoothie. There are a number of good whey powders on the market, and you can choose from unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, pina collada, berry and whatever else flavors. You can add one to two scoops to 8 ounces of water, or milk and blend in blender. To make it even tastier you can add ice cubes and blend the mixture again. The addition of half a banana, or a handful or berries, blueberries or cherries is a great version too.
What seems extremely beneficial in the case of whey protein is that whey has all the essential amino acids linked and sequenced so well that they can be easily digested and absorbed. Immediately after my research in metabolic syndrome, I published an article that due to regular whey protein intake- the insulin response may also be reversed.
Whey protein has also powerful antioxidant and immune boosting properties due to its specific arrangement or consequences of amino acids linked in a specific way. As an example, the linkage between 2 important amino acids- glutamate and cysteine is maybe one of the reasons behind the body detoxification potential while potentiating the immune system due to the natural stimulation of glutathione (known as the king antioxidant). Whey protein combined with L- carnitine can reduce more rapidly the degree of sarcopenia seen in older old age. I must also add that people who are overweight or obese should be extremely careful when adding whey or other vitamins to their daily menu ratio.
References:
Katsanos, C. S., Chinkes, D. L., Paddon-Jones, D., Zhang, X. J., Aarsland, A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2008). Whey protein ingestion in elderly persons results in greater muscle protein accrual than ingestion of its constituent essential amino acid content. Nutrition Research. 28, 651-658.
Roubenoff, R., & Hughes, V. A. (2000). Sarcopenia: Current Concepts. J Gerontol 55, 716-724
Fujita, S., & Ulfhake, B. (2005). Sarcopenia is not due to lack of regenerative drive in senescent skeletal muscle. Aging Cell, 4, 65-77
Sarcopenia (in Greek means “poverty of flesh”) is one of the most under-recognized and under-diagnosed degenerative diseases expressed in a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with advanced aging. Old age replaces muscles with fat and fibrotic (scar) tissue, that can cause weakness, progressive frailty and increased mortality. Due to the extreme muscle loss as a result of diminishing anabolic signals and increased catabolic ones (when the body is eating itself) pro-inflammatory cytokines are also secreted. And in fact in progressive aging we have acceleration of most if not all chronic degenerative diseases, followed by a decreased immune answer to banal infection. We have to remember that growth hormone and testosterone (well known anabolic hormones) are naturally diminished if not totally inhibited what can add to the above picture.
I must agree that it is a sad fact in life that the older we get, the longer it takes us to get in shape if at all. But, according to a new study from Arizona State University, having protein shake containing whey after a light workout may help to build muscle. The participants in this study (65y old and over) were divided into 2 groups that were offered a formula containing either 15 grams of whey protein, essential amino acids or a formula with non-essential amino acids. The Arizona study concluded that the group on whey protein could build muscle even in those over 65y. The main aim of this study was to compare whey protein with taking amino acid supplements separately (both, essential and non-essential amino acids), that means the scientists were looking to see if improvement came from the amino acids per se or from the whey protein. A substance called –Phenylalanine (that measures the muscle protein) was measured over the next 3 1/2 hours. Only people in the whey group experienced an increasing level of their phenylalanine levels what proved that they were the ones who had the luck to built muscle. Whey protein was proven superior in building up key muscle mass indicators. Furthermore, whey improved their insulin response compared to both the amino acid groups. So whey protein might help preserve your muscle mass as you age.
Whey is a naturally occurring protein found in cow’s milk and the highest quality form of whey is extracted and purified during the cheese-making process. Rich in essential amino acids, whey is easily digested and utilized by the body, even by older old (atrophic) individuals. The tastiest and easiest way to get muscle-building whey is in a protein shake or smoothie. There are a number of good whey powders on the market, and you can choose from unflavored, chocolate, vanilla, pina collada, berry and whatever else flavors. You can add one to two scoops to 8 ounces of water, or milk and blend in blender. To make it even tastier you can add ice cubes and blend the mixture again. The addition of half a banana, or a handful or berries, blueberries or cherries is a great version too.
What seems extremely beneficial in the case of whey protein is that whey has all the essential amino acids linked and sequenced so well that they can be easily digested and absorbed. Immediately after my research in metabolic syndrome, I published an article that due to regular whey protein intake- the insulin response may also be reversed.
Whey protein has also powerful antioxidant and immune boosting properties due to its specific arrangement or consequences of amino acids linked in a specific way. As an example, the linkage between 2 important amino acids- glutamate and cysteine is maybe one of the reasons behind the body detoxification potential while potentiating the immune system due to the natural stimulation of glutathione (known as the king antioxidant). Whey protein combined with L- carnitine can reduce more rapidly the degree of sarcopenia seen in older old age. I must also add that people who are overweight or obese should be extremely careful when adding whey or other vitamins to their daily menu ratio.
References:
Katsanos, C. S., Chinkes, D. L., Paddon-Jones, D., Zhang, X. J., Aarsland, A., & Wolfe, R. R. (2008). Whey protein ingestion in elderly persons results in greater muscle protein accrual than ingestion of its constituent essential amino acid content. Nutrition Research. 28, 651-658.
Roubenoff, R., & Hughes, V. A. (2000). Sarcopenia: Current Concepts. J Gerontol 55, 716-724
Fujita, S., & Ulfhake, B. (2005). Sarcopenia is not due to lack of regenerative drive in senescent skeletal muscle. Aging Cell, 4, 65-77
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
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