Effects of ageing on protein metabolism and requirement

Abstract

Some effects of ageing on protein metabolism can be detected at the molecular levels. At the whole body levels, there is a loss of lean body mass resulting mainly from a loss of muscle protein. The causes of such a loss are difficult to determine in a basal state since the effects of the molecular alterations on protein synthesis and degradation rates are rarely detected at the tissue or whole body levels. In contrast, ageing affects the control protein metabolism by hormones, exercise and nutrients and the muscle atrophy could be linked more directly to those alterations. The decrease of protein anabolism efficiency suggests that protein requirements in the elderly are as high as those of young adults.