Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review

Age-related anabolic resistance may render conventional dietary protein recommendations insufficient for the elderly population. Increased intake of high-quality protein is required to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, maintain muscle health, and prevent sarcopenia. Concurrently, global p...

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Main Authors: Zhiqiang Dai, Yan Zhao, Yu Ke, Jianhong Huang, Jincheng Zhu, Huiwen Wu, Ying Yang, Huayu Shang, Zhi Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Journal of Functional Foods
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625003329
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author Zhiqiang Dai
Yan Zhao
Yu Ke
Jianhong Huang
Jincheng Zhu
Huiwen Wu
Ying Yang
Huayu Shang
Zhi Xia
author_facet Zhiqiang Dai
Yan Zhao
Yu Ke
Jianhong Huang
Jincheng Zhu
Huiwen Wu
Ying Yang
Huayu Shang
Zhi Xia
author_sort Zhiqiang Dai
collection DOAJ
description Age-related anabolic resistance may render conventional dietary protein recommendations insufficient for the elderly population. Increased intake of high-quality protein is required to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, maintain muscle health, and prevent sarcopenia. Concurrently, global population growth, accelerated aging, and rising consumption of animal-based proteins (ABP) necessitate the urgent development of sustainable protein alternatives. This review examines various alternative protein sources (APS), including plant-based proteins (PBP), insect-based proteins (IBP), mycoprotein, and cultured meat, to support muscle health during aging. Furthermore, this research aligns with China's dual carbon goals (carbon peak and neutrality), promoting sustainable and low-carbon development. Consequently, identifying sustainable APS is crucial. This review aims to establish a theoretical basis for the application of APS in the elderly population and to inform future empirical investigations.
format Article
id doaj-art-910e54ed62c842329530c2fed6d649fa
institution Kabale University
issn 1756-4646
language English
publishDate 2025-10-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of Functional Foods
spelling doaj-art-910e54ed62c842329530c2fed6d649fa2025-08-26T04:14:11ZengElsevierJournal of Functional Foods1756-46462025-10-0113310699010.1016/j.jff.2025.106990Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative reviewZhiqiang Dai0Yan Zhao1Yu Ke2Jianhong Huang3Jincheng Zhu4Huiwen Wu5Ying Yang6Huayu Shang7Zhi Xia8School of Physical Education, Nanchang University, Nanchang, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, ChinaSchool of Sports Medicine and Health, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, ChinaCollege of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Key Lab of Biohealth Materials and Chemistry of Wenzhou, Wenzhou, China; Corresponding author at: Key Lab of Health-Related Physical Fitness of Wenzhou, College of Physical Education and Health, Wenzhou University, Chashan University Town, Wenzhou 325035, China.Age-related anabolic resistance may render conventional dietary protein recommendations insufficient for the elderly population. Increased intake of high-quality protein is required to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis, maintain muscle health, and prevent sarcopenia. Concurrently, global population growth, accelerated aging, and rising consumption of animal-based proteins (ABP) necessitate the urgent development of sustainable protein alternatives. This review examines various alternative protein sources (APS), including plant-based proteins (PBP), insect-based proteins (IBP), mycoprotein, and cultured meat, to support muscle health during aging. Furthermore, this research aligns with China's dual carbon goals (carbon peak and neutrality), promoting sustainable and low-carbon development. Consequently, identifying sustainable APS is crucial. This review aims to establish a theoretical basis for the application of APS in the elderly population and to inform future empirical investigations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625003329Alternative proteinPlant-based proteinInsect-based proteinMycoproteinCultured meatAge-related sarcopenia
spellingShingle Zhiqiang Dai
Yan Zhao
Yu Ke
Jianhong Huang
Jincheng Zhu
Huiwen Wu
Ying Yang
Huayu Shang
Zhi Xia
Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
Journal of Functional Foods
Alternative protein
Plant-based protein
Insect-based protein
Mycoprotein
Cultured meat
Age-related sarcopenia
title Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
title_full Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
title_fullStr Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
title_short Alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging: A narrative review
title_sort alternative protein sources and healthy skeletal muscle aging a narrative review
topic Alternative protein
Plant-based protein
Insect-based protein
Mycoprotein
Cultured meat
Age-related sarcopenia
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625003329
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