Healthy Aging: From Metabolism to Muscle Mass — A Role for L-Glutamine?

When accompanied by related gains in fat mass, sarcopenia (the age-related loss of muscle mass and function) is strongly associated with Type 2 diabetes in older populations. But which came first, the chicken or the egg? Even in lean individuals, hyperglycemia itself poses a significant risk for sarcopenia. And in older adults with long-standing type …

Why Leucine Makes Sense for Seniors

As we grow older, age-related loss of muscle mass, or sarcopenia, is unavoidable. Fortunately, we can modify the rate and degree at which sarcopenia occurs with simple nutritional and lifestyle interventions. Unquestionably, muscle strength and function is deeply associated with quality of life in senior citizens. Hand grip strength alone—not to mention arm, leg and …

Betaine HCL for Healthy Body Composition?

Betaine hydrochloride (HCl) is one of the original and most often prescribed dietary supplements to support healthy digestion. As a safe source of hydrochloric acid, betaine HCl is well known to help counter the effects of hypochlorhydria or insufficient stomach acid, a common condition generally associated with aging which also may exist in younger patients. …

Optimizing Protein Intake to Enhance Quality of Life in Seniors

Aging adults and seniors make up a significant portion of the US population. According to 2019 US Census figures, nearly one third (30%) of Americans are now age 55 or older. For this group, maintaining quality of life, functionality and independence for as long as possible is a primary goal. To this end, the critical …

Under Appreciated Issues in the Treatment of Chronic Illness – Muscle/Dietary Protein Update Part – II

In part I of this series I presented a review of the fascinating paper by Argiles et al (1) that presented compelling information that loss of muscle mass during illness, both acute and chronic, is more than just a mechanical issue where the only concerns are movement and pain.  Rather loss of muscle mass is …

Under Appreciated Issues in the Treatment of Chronic Illness – Muscle/Dietary Protein Update – Part I

Upon finishing part III of my metabolic acidosis/potassium series that appeared in the November 2018 Moss Nutrition Report, I had every intention of writing part IV for January of 2019.  However, as the time came to write part IV, I decided that, while there is still a large volume of research on this issue that I …