Sarcopenia and Dietary Proteins: Which Ones? How? Alone?

Age-related sarcopenia involves progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function due to reduced muscle protein synthesis and increased breakdown. This process is partly driven by anabolic resistance, a blunted muscle response to dietary amino acids. The review explores nutritional strategies to overcome this resistance by modifying protein intake in older adults, including high-protein meals, fast-digesting proteins, leucine-rich sources, and managing low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress. Milk proteins have been tested for their amino acid profile and physicochemical properties. While acute postprandial effects on muscle protein anabolism are positive, long-term interventions have often failed to increase muscle mass, highlighting the need for targeted approaches.