Translating novel insights from age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and phenotypic flexibility into diet and lifestyle recommendations for the elderly

Aging is associated with a decline in muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia), impacting not only mobility but also metabolic health. Phenotypic flexibility, as a proxy for health, impairs during aging and varies considerably between subjects, as identified from challenge studies with multiple biomarkers. Recent studies have linked transcriptomics and metabolomics in serum and muscle tissue to functional outcomes, such as muscle strength. Age-related changes in skeletal muscle gene expression were partially reversed by resistance exercise, indicating the plasticity of muscle. Supplementation of high-quality dietary proteins enhances the beneficial effects of exercise on sarcopenia. Signaling pathways and molecules associated with atrophy in aged skeletal muscle are increasingly revealed, providing novel opportunities for optimizing and personalizing nutritional concepts for the elderly population.