Diet and sarcopenia risk in community-dwelling older European adults

The age-related decline in muscle strength and muscle mass can lead to sarcopenia with higher risk of falls, disability, and loss of independence. In this context, healthy dietary habits have the potential to delay onset of physical limitations, thereby promoting healthy ageing. The overall aim of the thesis was to investigate the role of dietary habits on indicators ofmuscle health in a sample of community-dwelling older European men and women. The studies were performed within the frame of the NU-AGE project, a multi-centre study aiming to determine the impact of dietary habits on age-related functional decline. Studies I-III were based on crosssectional analyses, whereas study IV was a randomised controlled trial (RCT). In summary, Study I highlighted the independent roles of dietary protein amount and quality for muscle health in older adults. A positive linear dose-response relationship existed between protein intake and muscle health, with increased intake of plant-based proteins to the detriment of animal-based proteins was associated with reduced sarcopenia risk. Study II revealed that increased poly-unsaturated fatty acids intake to the detriment of saturated fatty acids was associated with lower sarcopenia risk in older adults with a dietary protein intake below 1.1 g/kg of body weight. In Study III, beneficial links between dietary fibre intake and muscle mass were observed in older European adults. In Study IV, a one-year RCT promoting adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet did not result in significant changes in muscle strength or mass. In conclusion, the present dissertation emphasised the important potential of macronutrient amount and quality in the prevention of age-related loss of muscle strength and muscle mass. However, future experimental studies are warranted to clarify the impact of whole-diet approaches, such as the Mediterranean diet, on the maintenance of muscle health in older adults