Back to Basics: Alkaline diet and protein supplementation for muscle strength

When we think of protein and muscle, we often think of body builders or weightlifters trying to “bulk up.” However, at Boston’s Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, researchers will look at the use of protein, in conjunction with an alkaline dietary supplement (potassium bicarbonate), to determine its effect on muscle strength and mass in older individuals.

Because a diet rich in protein can result in a high dietary acid load in older individuals, a basic, or alkaline, supplement could offset this acid load and potentially enhance mobility, balance to avoid falls, and general day-to-day activities of daily living. This 24-week study will focus on generally healthy community-dwelling older women and men age 65 and older. Understanding whether high protein and alkali supplementation have an additive benefit to muscle in older adults is important in developing innovative therapeutic approaches to reduce the physical disability in our aging society.

Learn more about the study here.