Supplements and Exercise Help Seniors Retain Muscle

A combination of moderate exercise and nutritional supplements could help older people maintain an active lifestyle, British researchers said.

Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University found that 60 healthy, independent-living adults age 65 and older, who took carbohydrate and protein supplements just before and just after low-resistance exercise could boost muscle performance and slow muscle wastage in older people.

The volunteers were randomly divided into groups who underwent different 12-week programs of physical exercise and nutritional supplementation.

Study leader Dr. Gladys Pearson said some groups undertook low-resistance exercise once a week; others undertook high-resistance exercise twice a week. Within each group, some of the volunteers took protein and carbohydrate supplements while others did not.

At the end of the 12-week program, muscle size and strength had increased in all groups, but it was observed that the most benefit occurred with appropriate supplements coupled with low-intensity exercise.

"Though we still need to assess precisely what level of exercise gives the best results, we believe we've shown that regular low-resistance exercise complemented by the right nutritional supplements could boost the well-being of the aging population," Pearson said in a statement.

The findings were presented at the BA Festival of Science in Liverpool, England.