Introduction
muscle mass, age-related loss of muscle mass, sarcopenic, sarcopenia, Sarcopenia
SARCOPENIA, SARCOPENIA
Diet plays an important role in the development and treatment of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function [Dietary fat intake is a major determinant of muscle structure and function. Fatty acids can act as an energy source for the muscle, but are also incorporated in various structures of the skeletal muscle containing phospholipid membranes (e.g., sarcolemma or mitochondria), thus optimizing the muscle’s structure and function [Detailed data on usual dietary PUFAs intake in well-defined sarcopenic older adults are lacking. For this purpose, food records are a useful tool to measure dietary intake but carry an inherent risk of bias due to recall problems or socially desirable responses [Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of PUFAs – through food records – and PUFAs status – through RBC membrane fatty acids composition – in a sample of well-defined sarcopenic older adults according to the recent European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria. As the first study to do so in this population, we also aimed to determine the correlation between intake and status of PUFAs. Furthermore, the present study intended to explore associations between dietary intake and nutritional status of PUFAs and individual sarcopenia-defining parameters (muscle strength, muscle mass and physical performance) as well as physical activity and quality of life (QoL). We hypothesized that intake of omega-3 PUFAs is low in sarcopenic older adults and that intake is well correlated with status. Moreover, we presumed that higher intake of omega-3 is associated with improved muscle strength and mass, as well as higher QoL scores and more physical activity.