Age-related muscle loss, also known as sarcopenia, is characterized by a progressive decline in muscle mass, which increases the risk of various diseases and premature death. Evidence suggests that active vitamin D regulates muscle protein synthesis and thereby helps prevent sarcopenia, particularly in people with prediabetes. This is reported in a Japanese placebo-controlled study published in Metabolism.

Most people thrive on the idea of staying physically active throughout life, but as we grow older, our skeletal muscle slowly vanishes and our figure changes. This is known as sarcopenia and is one of the main reasons why older people become more fragile and perhaps even disabled. Exercise and diet play a major role, and it seems that the official dietary guidelines are not optimal and should focus more on increased intake of protein as well as lysine, vitamin D, and omega-3 according to a new Canadian study. Earlier research shows that magnesium, selenium, and Q10 are also important for muscle mass and strength.