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Dear Dr Adam,<\/strong><\/p>\n I come from an active family and my middle-aged parents still regularly work out at the gym, but, in my opinion, aren’t the most diligent with their nutrition. How can I convince them to factor in a protein shake after exercise?<\/strong><\/p>\n Leah, Dulwich<\/em><\/p>\n Dear Leah,<\/p>\n First of all, I think it\u2019s very nice that you want to support your parents’ training goals. There are indeed benefits to be had from post-workout protein as you get older.<\/p>\n As we age, we tend to experience increased muscle loss compared to our younger years. Our protein balance shifts as we get older and we have more muscle protein breakdown than buildup. That\u2019s where we get the idea of age-related muscle wastage.<\/p>\n Does that mean we need more protein as we get older? Not necessarily, but if you\u2019re looking to fuel muscle maintenance or growth through activity, then it’s likely. When we hit a certain age, though, it becomes not just about dose, but distribution.<\/p>\n “Where younger people can exercise and take in protein hours after their workout, older people could benefit from being more prompt”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n There are some interesting ideas around how older people respond to exercise compared to younger people \u2013 particularly regarding resistance training. Studies have shown a greater impact on protein-feeding around exercise in older individuals. In other words, if you\u2019re over 40 and you\u2019re doing exercise \u2013 which in itself is a stimulus of protein synthesis \u2013 then in order to enable that synthesis you have more reliance on protein.<\/p>\n Where younger people can exercise and take in protein hours after their workout, older people could benefit from being more prompt, simply because you\u2019re more able to maintain protein balance in your youth.<\/p>\n Bear in mind, though, that you can\u2019t just take a huge hit of protein, particularly if you\u2019re an older person, as your ability to digest and absorb protein has likely diminished as your gastric capacity becomes less sufficient.<\/p>\n Many also notice a decrease in their appetite as they get older, and so they end up eating less, and consequently, their protein consumption suffers. When you don\u2019t eat protein, your body sources it from elsewhere i.e. in your existing muscles, so it\u2019s important to ensure a steady intake throughout the day on top of any immediate post-workout consumption.<\/p>\n Overall the message for an older person isn\u2019t necessary to have more protein in total, but a balanced distribution across the day and especially around exercise. So, Leah, you\u2019ve hit upon something that is real and your father could certainly consider protein supplementation if he still trains regularly. By-and-large, though, it\u2019s not about quantity, but how and when protein is delivered.<\/p>\n _<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/formnutrition.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/10\/Copy-of-New-Quote-Template-6.png\")
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