Parlak Baskurt Hatice, Yardımcı Hulya
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kutahya Health Sciences University, Kutahya, Turkey.
Biogerontology. 2025 May 17;26(3):112. doi: 10.1007/s10522-025-10253-8.
Sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and function, commonly affects older adults and reduces their quality of life. Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, which contain mostly additives and very few natural foods, increases the risk of sarcopenia or accelerates its onset. A diet rich in ultra-processed foods may lead to inadequate nutrition and lower intake of many nutrients, such as protein, dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, E, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and iron. However, obesity may occur because of increased energy and saturated fat intake. Both conditions contribute to the risk of muscle mass loss. A diet poor in antioxidants may increase the risk of sarcopenia by increasing inflammation. The fact that consumption of ultra-processed food contributes to the risk of frailty in older adults may lead to increased physical weakness and falls. Therefore, minimizing the consumption of ultra-processed foods is important to reduce the risk of sarcopenia. Understanding the contribution of the nutrients in this group to the risk of sarcopenia will allow for more accurate nutritional recommendations for old age. In our world, where the elderly population is increasing, it is important to conduct studies that include healthy nutrition to make this process healthier and more prosperous.
肌肉减少症，即肌肉质量和功能的丧失，通常会影响老年人并降低他们的生活质量。经常食用超加工食品，这类食品大多含有添加剂且天然食物很少，会增加患肌肉减少症的风险或加速其发病。富含超加工食品的饮食可能导致营养不足以及许多营养素（如蛋白质、膳食纤维、维生素A、C、E、锌、硒、镁和铁）的摄入量降低。然而，由于能量和饱和脂肪摄入量增加，可能会出现肥胖。这两种情况都会增加肌肉质量流失的风险。抗氧化剂含量低的饮食可能会通过加剧炎症来增加患肌肉减少症的风险。食用超加工食品会增加老年人虚弱的风险，这一事实可能会导致身体更加虚弱和跌倒。因此，尽量减少超加工食品的消费对于降低肌肉减少症的风险很重要。了解这类食品中的营养素对肌肉减少症风险的影响，将有助于为老年人提供更准确的营养建议。在我们这个老年人口不断增加的世界里，开展包括健康营养在内的研究很重要，以便让这个过程更健康、更繁荣。
