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# Sufficient protein intake prevents sarcopenia, osteoporosis
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/protein_intake_prevents_sarcopenia_osteoporosis_0814140916/
- Published: 2014-08-14T10:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:51:33.000Z
- Description: In women aged 65 and older, those eating more than 1.2 g of protein per kilogram a day had significantly higher muscle, bone and fat mass, while low essential amino acid intake showed up in women with sarcopenia. The authors conclude adequate protein alone can benefit bone and lean mass.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Food, Nutrition, #vivvo-import

Thursday Aug 14, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study suggests that having sufficient intake of protein or taking essential amino acid supplements can help retain muscle mass, maintain or boost muscle strength and prevent sarcopennia, and reduce risk of osteoporosis.

Muscle loss at a rate of 1% per year is commonly seen in elderly people.

The study shows that weak muscle strength is linked to high risk of osteoporosis, which is a risk factor for fracture, and muscle mass, which helps muscle strength, is in turn associated with protein and energy intake.

In the study of women aged 65 years or older with or without sarcopenia, participants who had protein intake in a dose of more than 1.2g/kg/d had significantly higher muscle, bone and fat mass. 

The study also finds that low intake of essential amino acids was observed in women with sarcopenia, suggesting that eating sufficient protein or taking amino acid supplements may help prevent or reduce sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia is the age-related degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass (0.5-1% loss per year after the age of 25), quality, and strength.

The study concludes "the present study demonstrated that in elderly women, an adequate protein intake in terms of quality and quantity, without need of supplementation, could have a positive impact on bone mineral density, lean mass, and skeletal muscle mass. (David Liu)

Genaro PD, Pinheiro MD, Szejnfeld VL, Martini LA. Dietary Protein Intake in Elderly Women: Association With Muscle and Bone Mass. Nutr Clin Pract. 2014 Aug 8.