Introduction
age-related loss of muscle mass
SECONDARY
The expression of proteins in blood changes as a function of age, health conditions, environmental exposures, nutrition, and dietary supplements. Protein is key dietary ingredient, especially for older adults who undergo age-related loss of muscle mass which contributes to low physical functioning (LPF). We and others have previously reported that older adults tend to underestimate their protein requirements and eat substantially less protein [Nutritional therapies such as whey protein and essential amino acids (EAAs) have both produced health benefits [There is very limited data evaluating the differential expression of proteins in blood following consumption of EAAs vs whey in older individuals. An improved understanding of the differential expression of proteins secondary to EAAs or whey could help to inform the design of appropriate nutritional therapies for LPF older adults. Evaluation of plasma proteins can provide important diagnostic, prognostic, and potentially therapeutic information. However, it is very challenging to quantify the proteins because of required dynamic range to profile the human proteome which contains of an approximately 20,000 proteins [