Role of Dietary Protein Intake in Elderly Adults

The investigators determined the total anabolic response to an amount of protein intake commonly eaten with dinner (70g) as compared with the amount required to maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis (35g). Men and women, ages > 60 years will be studied under two levels of protein intake in mixed meals in random order (35g or 70g protein in isocaloric mixed meals). For two days prior to each stable isotope tracer study, subjects' dietary intake of calories and protein will be stabilized by providing subjects their entire diets. On the third day, a 8-hr metabolic study will be conducted in the UAMS Reynolds Institute on Aging (IOA) to determine the total anabolic response to the particular amount of beef intake, which will be repeated with the other amount of protein in mixed meal after a minimum 7-day washout interval. The investigators measured whole body protein kinetics, muscle fractional synthetic rate, and plasma amino acid profile.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women, ages > 60 years

Exclusion criteria

• History of diabetes
• History of malignancy in the 6 months prior to enrollment
• History of gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc)
• History of a chronic inflammatory condition or disease (Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc)
• Pregnant females
• Subjects who do not or will not eat animal proteins
• Subjects who cannot refrain from consuming protein or amino acid supplements during their participation in this study
• Subjects who report regular resistance exercise (more than once per week)
• Hemoglobin less than 9.5 mg/dL at the screening visit
• Platelets less than 150,000 at the screening visit
• Subjects who are not willing or able to suspend aspirin for several days prior to their muscle biopsies
• Subjects who have been prescribed a blood-thinning medication (Coumadin, lovenox, heparin, Plavix, etc.)
• Concomitant use of corticosteroids (ingestion, injection or transdermal)
• Any other disease or condition that would place the subject at increased risk of harm if they were to participate, at the discretion of the study physician