• Question: If you have a diet that's very high in protein, does that mean you won't loose muscle mass and muscle strength?

    Asked by samsam to Alex on 20 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Alex Munro

      Alex Munro answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      Hello samsam, sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass + muscle strength) is caused by lots of factors; insufficient protein intake may be just one of them…

      However, if I can show that how much protein we eat and how we eat it can impact on the progression of this condition, it may help with the formulation of advice/recommendations to slow its progression

Comments

  • Photo: samsam

    samsam commented on :

    As a vegetarian, I have a very limited amount of protein in my diet. I was just concerned that someone with a lack of protein in a diet, like myself, would suffer from sarcopenia.

    • Photo: Alex

      Alex commented on :

      Hello samsam – I’m a pescetarian – I don’t eat meat, but eat fish & dairy… 🙂

      There are a lot of plant-based sources of protein too, and the amino acids found in plant proteins complement each other well, so you’re probably getting enough protein, esp. if you eat eggs and drink milk?

      If you are a vegetarian, you should also try to make sure you’re getting everything else you need (without meat) i.e. iron, zinc, vitamins D, B12 and calcium too; as these are very important.

      Sarcopenia is an age-related condition and is caused by lots of factors that ‘cluster’ in the elderly, such as reduced levels of anabolic hormones, neuromuscular changes, reductions in muscle quality and higher levels of inflammation… these will not affect you until much later in your life, if at all…!

      I personally think a vegetarian diet can be much healthier than a regular meat-containing diet (lower levels of sat fat & cholesterol & more fruit/veggies); enjoy 🙂