In a separate symposium sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, experts from the National Institutes of Health, the University of Georgia and the University of Texas examined the latest research related to nutrition and aging adults. One topic of discussion was the condition known as sarcopenia, which is the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with aging. The expert panelists identified protein intake as a critical intervention strategy for the treatment and prevention of sarcopenia in the aging population.

"The topics discussed in this session relay important information for healthcare professionals and consumers because research shows that consuming high-quality protein can help prevent or slow the loss of muscle," says Mitch Kanter, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Center. "Eggs are an ideal high-quality protein food to help adults meet protein needs throughout the day, starting with breakfast."

Additional supporting research underscores the importance of protein for the aging population. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that older men and women who ate the most protein-rich foods lost approximately 40 percent less muscle mass over three years compared to those who ate the least amount of protein. And a review article published in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care encourages clinicians to advise older patients to consume 25-30 grams of high-quality protein per meal in order to prevent or slow down sarcopenic muscle loss.

SOURCE Egg Nutrition Center (ENC)