from American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Older adults are a growing population with a growing problem—the loss of muscle and strength caused by inactivity, such as long illness. That loss of muscle can affect balance, gait or simple tasks of everyday life. While exercise buffs have long used protein supplements to gain muscle, a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined that one particular source—whey protein—is most effective for older people trying to regain or rebuild muscle lost from inactivity. Researchers found whey protein is better than collagen protein. They also found that protein was not effective stopping muscle loss during inactivity, but when participants returned to normal, muscle-building activity, whey protein was most effective.