The role of protein in the elderly patients nutrition

Malnutrition in elderly patients significantly deteriorates the course of associated diseases and quality of life. Nutritional support, ensuring adequate protein supply, plays a key role in restoring and maintaining the health of this population group. Objective. To analyze the role of protein in oral nutritional support for elderly patients and identify optimal strategies for nutrition improvement. Materials and methods. The review considers recent published works and clinical recommendations from PubMed and eLibrary databases regarding protein intake in people over 60 years of age; different sources of protein (plant and animal), their impact on metabolism, recovery of muscle mass and general health status are assessed. Results. It has been established that adequate protein intake can significantly reduce the risk of sarcopenia, improve the immune response and accelerate recovery from diseases and surgery. According to the recommendations on rational nutrition, the protein quota for elderly people should be 1.0—1.2 g per 1 kg body weight per day, but individual needs can vary depending on the level of physical activity and comorbidity structure. Conclusion. The study results show that the development and implementation of personalized approaches to nutrition significantly increase the efficacy of treatment activities and improve quality of life.