Question: Other than help prevent the loss of physical ability, can protein consumption help prevent any other ageing processes? :)

Alex Munro answered on 15 Jun 2011:

Hello Oinkthepig: I’m pleased you asked this again – I couldn’t think of a good answer in the chat – it’s all so fast!

Yours is a excellent question, but not an easy one to answer! From a dietary point of view, it is essential that we eat protein (especially for growing teenagers); also, the amino acids that are released from protein are used by the body to make all sorts of vital things like muscle (think of your skeletal muscle, heart, digestive tract etc…); hormones (e.g. insulin) and enzymes – all of which are proteins; all biological processes require enzymes, think of all the digestive enzymes and the enzymes involved in converting glucose into ‘cellular energy’ (ATP) – they are indispensible!

Protein deficiency can lead to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM/inadequate protein) and diseases like kwashiorkor and marasmus, but these are not really seen in developed countries.

In addition to sarcopenia and all its consequences, the elderly can suffer from undernutrition and in some instances PEM and this is also associated with lower immune responses which could lead to infection.

Ultimately nothing can prevent the ageing process, but some of us age better than others!

How we look after ourselves throughout our life makes a huge difference to our health in older age; e.g. not smoking, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, moderate alcohol, fruit & veg…etc etc; things you’ve probably heard hundreds of times!

p.s. if I’ve missed anything or haven’t answered your question, please come back to me!