Diet Rich in Plant-foods Aids in Preserves Muscle Mass in Older Adults

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Diet Rich in Plant-foods Aids in Preserves Muscle Mass in Older Adults

by Ella Andersen _(see all articles by this author)_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/Author488.html)

 

 

(NaturalNews) The strength that sometimes leaves many older adults could be

maintained and restored by consuming raw vegetables and fruit, a study,

published in the March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has

suggested. In a society where grain- and protein-rich diets rule, this is

refreshing news that can help older adults live more healthily and happily.

 

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass, and can lead to falls and injuries

due to the weakened musculature of older adults. Because of the high-protein,

high-grain diet of Westerners, acidosis occurs more readily, which in turn

triggers the loss of _muscle mass_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/muscle_mass.html)

experienced by the elderly. Though acidosis is naturally a part of the aging

process, it can be greatly slowed by re-evaluating dietary choices at ages

sixty-five and above, or better yet, eating healthfully and living healthfully

in the youthful years to maintain an adequate muscle mass.

 

The study, conducted by _nutrition_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/nutrition.html) specialist and doctor Jean Bess

Dawson-Hughes, utilized cross-sectional

analysis of 400 older adults (male and female) who were sixty-five and above

and who also participated in an osteoporosis intervention trial. At the start

of the study, height, weight, activity level, and percentage of lean body

mass were taken and taken again three years later. Furthermore, urinary

_potassium_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/potassium.html) levels were

additionally

measured at the beginning of the study, and dietary information was collected

at

eighteen months. Those who ate potassium-rich diets could have 3.6 more

pounds of lean muscle than those with elevated, but not as high, potassium

intake. Meaning, the muscle mass loss that older adults 65 and over experience

--

approximately 4.4 pounds in a ten year span -- could be greatly reduced,

leading to less falls and injuries from damaged muscles.

 

Potassium-plentiful _food_ (http://www.naturalnews.com/food.html) stuffs

consist of a wide spectrum of _vegetables_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/vegetables.html) and fruits. From broccoli to

kale, and from watermelon to

strawberries, finding foods abounding in potassium is not a difficult task

(alas, what

most people find is that actually consuming such large quantities of

wholesome and nourishing foods is more difficult than finding them, since many

were

raised on a cookie-and-ice-cream diet). In order to maintain vigor well into

old age, steps need to be taken towards a diet rich in vegetables and _fruits_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/fruits.html) , healthy proteins and fats, and

low in insulin-raising grains.

 

The best way to receive these benefits is to consume these foods raw. In

their raw state, they contain all the antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and

phytochemicals that will not only give and maintain the kind of

spring-in-the-step health we all desire, but it also will foster glowing skin

and a healthy

body well into the golden years.

 

Bottom line, staying fit, healthy and in good physical shape is a choice.

Whether you are eighteen and young, or more advanced in years, each day is an

opportunity to make a healthy choice -- we do not have to be prisoners of our

own bodies. If a hearty life is what you want, make that choice today.

 

Sources:

 

1. U.S. Department of Agriculture (2008, May 27). Plant Foods For Preserving

Muscle Mass. ScienceDaily. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from

(_(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20..._

(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527121104.htm) )

 

 

About the author

Ella Andersen is a college student who intensely researchs topics on health

and nutrition. In college, she is furthering her love of nutrition by

pursuing a degree in clinical dietetics.

She also runs her own blog:

_http://www.snhbw.blogspot.com_ (http://www.snhbw.blogspot.com)

 

 

_http://www.naturalnews.com/z023933.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/z023933.html)

 

 

 

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