Are you too old for whey protein? Nope!
There’s long existed a misperception that protein supplements are only used by bodybuilders who are trying to “bulk up”. This would mean that, since it’s not often that you see elderly people spending hours in the gym lifting weights, there’s no reason for them to add whey protein supplements to their daily routine. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, an argument could be made that seniors can actually realize bigger benefits from supplements than their younger counterparts.
It’s well-established that as we age, we begin to lose a percentage of muscle mass every year. Left unaddressed, this natural process can eventually impair the ability to perform everyday functions, like getting out of bed, dressing oneself, walking up a flight of stairs and more. “In a 2018 study that followed more than 2,900 seniors over 23 years, researchers found that those who ate the most protein were 30 percent less likely to become functionally impaired than those who ate the least amount.” 1
Staying healthy as you age is dependant on the ability to stay active, so it’s important to maintain functionality.
Here’s how it helps
In order to combat the loss of muscle that occurs during the aging process, it’s critical that you continue to work on muscle growth through performing weight-bearing exercise. Maintaining/building lean body mass (your total weight – body fat) is a key component when working to meet weight loss or weight gain goals, and it’s a better predictor of good health than only paying attention to the number on the scale. “..Contrary to popular belief, your ratio of muscle to fat is the best indicator of overall health and fitness, not body weight.” 2
Nutrition is also a key component involved in staying healthy and maintaining lean body mass as you age. Your body uses the amino acids found in proteins as building blocks for both repairing damaged and building new muscle tissue. Because appetite does tend to decrease during this stage of life, it’s more important than ever to ensure the calories you consume support this goal, which in turn increases functioning.
Because it can be difficult to meet the daily requirement through diet alone, whey protein supplements are a good option, because they contain all of the amino acids you need to support muscle growth.
If you’re reading this, you’re already on your “whey”
Senior citizens who want to stay healthy, active and capable of performing everyday life functions should do regular weight-bearing exercise and eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of protein.
A single scoop of FlexFitPro whey protein isolate powder provides more than half the RDA of protein, and is very low in fat, cholesterol and calories. Best of all, it comes in two delicious flavors, is non-gritty and easy to digest. You’re providing the fuel your body needs to support muscle growth, but it tastes like you’re eating dessert!