The study conducted by Harvard University’s Hebrew SeniorLife has shed light on the positive effects of flavonol, a dietary compound found in various fruits such as apples and blackberries. According to the research, flavonols, including quercetin, which can also be found in vegetables such as kale and red onions, as well as grains and seeds, can help prevent older people from suffering from frailty.
Frailty affects a significant percentage of the elderly population, with estimates ranging from 10% to 15%. The condition is characterized by a decrease in muscle mass and strength, as well as a decline in other functions such as mobility and balance. Frailty is associated with a higher likelihood of falls, disability, hospitalization, and death, making it a serious health concern for older adults.
The study found that regular consumption of flavonol-rich foods can reduce the risk of developing frailty. Researchers suggest that the compound may provide protection against age-related inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to the development of frailty. Flavonol consumption may also increase muscle strength and improve overall physical performance, which can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life.
While the study focused specifically on the effects of quercetin, other types of flavonols such as epicatechin and catechin have also been shown to have similar benefits. Incorporating flavonol-rich foods into one’s diet may be a simple and cost-effective way to prevent the onset of frailty in older adults.
Overall, the study provides important insights into the potential benefits of including flavonol-rich foods in one’s diet. Older people, in particular, can benefit significantly from regular consumption of these compounds, which can help them maintain their physical independence and overall health.
The recent study conducted by Harvard University’s Hebrew SeniorLife has challenged the previous dietary recommendation of increasing protein intake to prevent frailty in the elderly population. The study highlights that flavonols, such as quercetin, found in fruits like apples and blackberries, could be more effective in preventing frailty. Frailty is a serious geriatric disorder associated with an increased risk of falls, fractures, hospitalization, disability, and mortality.
The study has found that a higher intake of flavonols, including those found in cocoa, tea, grapes, berries, and apples, can reduce the chances of developing frailty in older adults. The researchers discovered that increasing flavonol intake by 10mg per day reduces the risk of frailty by 20%.
Interestingly, while the study found that higher flavonol intake was associated with lower odds of developing frailty, there was no significant association between total flavonoid intake and frailty. The bitter-tasting quercetin, found abundantly in red onions, berries, kale, grains, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and leaves, showed the strongest association with preventing frailty among flavonoids.
The study authors, Shivani Sahni and Courtney L. Millar, suggest that regular consumption of flavonol-rich foods may help prevent frailty and improve overall health in older adults. The findings also imply that the proverbial phrase, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” may hold a grain of truth, as apples are a good source of quercetin and other flavonoids. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the significant benefits of incorporating flavonol-rich foods into the diet of older individuals to improve their health and prevent frailty.
The study’s findings were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and suggest that consuming specific subclasses of flavonoids could be an effective nutritional strategy for preventing frailty in the elderly.
A recent study by Flinders University found that frailty can begin as early as one’s 40s. The study found that 45% of people between the ages of 40 to 49 experienced pre-frailty, which is roughly the same percentage as 70 to 75-year-olds also experiencing pre-frailty.
According to Professor Sue Gordon, Chair of Restorative Care in Aging at Flinders University, individuals don’t have to be in their 70s or 80s to be heading down the path to frailty. Successful healthy aging interventions and self-management should commence as early as the fourth decade of life, she said.
Some indicators of pre-frailty to look out for include poor balance, weak legs, weak trunk stability, diminished foot sensations, being underweight, and poor nutrition. The study suggests that people should focus on managing and preventing these factors to prevent or delay the onset of frailty.