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Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
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Nutrients Promote Muscle in
Older Adults
L
-carnitine, l-leucine, creatine increase
protein synthesis and enhance physical
performance.
While body-builders and athletes are
convinced of the value of nutrional
supplements–protein, amino acids, vitamins,
etc–conventional medicine remains cautious.
Perhaps they are concerned that some of
these products are “over-hyped,” and if taken
in excess, might be dangerous. This is too
bad, because experience, and science,
supports their efficacy. Here is an example of
some of the science:
Muscle mass and strength naturally decline
with age. In this study, 42 healthy adults, age
55 to 70, took a placebo, or 1,500 mg of l-
carnitine with or without 2,000 mg l-leucine,
3,000 mg creatine, and 400 IU vitamin D3,
per day.
After eight weeks, muscle mass, strength,
and mobility were stable in the l-carnitine
group while declining slightly for placebo.
Those taking the carnitine-leucine-creatine-
vitamin D combination saw total lean muscle
mass increase by an average of 2.2-pounds,
leg lean muscle mass increase by 11.2 ounces
and, compared to placebo, lower leg strength
2.2 pounds greater.
Discussing the findings, doctors said the
supplements likely built lean muscle mass and
lower leg strength by increasing the ability of
the body to synthesize protein, and that
taking these nutrients beyond eight weeks
may further enhance physical performance in
healthy older adults.
(Reference: Nutrition & Metabolism; 2017,
Published Online)
Nutritional Supplements May Be
More Helpful Than You Thought
Y
ou may be taking glucosamine and
chondroitin supplements for various types
of joint pain, arthritis, inflammation, sport
injuries, etc. Most people experience benefit,
and most research has been positive–but not
all. That is only to be expected. Few things–
drugs or supplements–work for everybody.
With supplements, however, there are often
multiple benefits. Very often, other benefits
are unrelated to the initial reason you take
the supplement. That, to me, is one of the
unique benefits of nutritional supplements,
and it should weigh heavily in the debate as
to their value. Here is a good example:
Recent evidence suggests glucosamine and
chondroitin may reduce chances for
colorectal cancer. In this follow-up study,
doctors analyzed data from 68,466 women
and 27,934 men, all of them health care
professionals.
Overall, for men and women who took any
glucosamine and chondroitin supplements
together, chances for developing colorectal
cancer were 23 percent lower than in men
and women who did not take glucosamine
and chondroitin supplements.
Doctors said the findings were the same
regardless of sex and whether participants
were physically active or not, or if there were
differences in body mass index scores.
(Reference: International Journal of Cancer;
2016, Vol. 139, No. 9, 1949-57).
Now, studies like this invite some questions.
Was the reduction in colon cancer related to
some therapeutic or preventive action of
glucosamine and chondroitin? Or, do those
people who take supplements such as this
also make other healthy lifestyle and dietary
choices? Either way, taking supplements
seems to be a wise decision, for more reasons
than you might realize.
