Originally published September 14 2005
New study links blood protein with muscle strength in elderly
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society recently published a study linking a protein called albumin to muscle strength, regardless of whether the subjects had chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Older adults with relatively low levels of a particular blood protein may have a significant decline in muscle strength over time, a new study suggests.
The protein, called albumin, is known to fall to abnormal levels in certain diseases, including kidney and liver disease.
In addition, high levels of other, inflammatory proteins in the blood can lower a person's albumin levels; chronic inflammation in the body is believed to contribute to a number of medical conditions, such as heart disease.
In the new study, older adults with relatively low albumin levels -- even within the range of normal -- had low levels of muscle strength, regardless of whether they had chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.
The subjects also showed a greater loss in muscle strength over time, according to findings published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Since low protein intake and general malnutrition can trigger a drop in albumin, future studies should look at the effects of special diet regimens on older adults' albumin levels and muscular strength, they recommend.
The question is an important one, the researchers point out, because slowing age-related muscle loss could make a difference in elderly adults' health and physical capabilities.
Schalk and her colleagues measured participants' blood levels of albumin and particular proteins involved in inflammation, and gathered information on their lifestyles and any existing medical conditions.
Yet those with the lowest levels relative to their peers had poorer muscle strength.
This relationship held true, though it weakened somewhat, when the researchers factored in participants' health conditions, levels of inflammatory proteins and lifestyle habits like smoking and exercise.
A missing element from the data, Schalk and her colleagues point out, was detailed information on diet.
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