Malnutrition in the elderly is considered a serious complication of disease, and is associated with greater risks of mortality, longer hospital stays, frequent readmissions and lower quality of life. It is a condition that can influence physical fitness, which goes beyond body composition and muscle function, making daily activities difficult, such as eating, for example.

The elderly are among the high-risk groups for malnutrition for at least two reasons. First, they may have a decrease in food consumption due to the “anorexia of aging.” Additionally, older people are more prone to early symptoms of chronic illnesses that can result in loss of muscle mass.

Dairy products can contribute to meeting macro and micronutrient deficiencies in the diets of the elderly. Several of its components have proven to increase the maintenance of bone and muscle mass.

Adequate levels of vitamin D in the blood are important for skeletal health and cell development, differentiation and growth, in addition to increasing muscle protein synthesis, strength and balance.

Milk protein is rich in leucine, an amino acid capable of stimulating the anabolism of muscle proteins, when combined with physical activity. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization's essential amino acid index, dairy proteins rank among the highest quality.

A systematic review and meta-analysis article from the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, in Groningen, Netherlands, evaluated the effectiveness of dairy products on nutritional status and physical fitness in 4,947 elderly people. The results showed that dairy consumption increased muscle mass and physical performance in the elderly.

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Source: Nutr Res. Jan 2018.