At Danone Global Research & Innovation (R&I), we understand the critical importance that nutrition holds in maintaining our health and supporting recovery processes, especially as we navigate the complexities of aging.
According to Dr. Johan de Vogel, Senior Scientist of the Muscle, Performance and Recovery team, healthcare conversations with seniors and individuals experiencing frailty often do not convey the necessary urgency for prioritizing dietary health or physical fitness. This oversight can have dire consequences, leading to prolonged hospital stays and lengthy recovery periods in the event of unexpected illness or injuries.” A common outcome of prolonged bed rest during hospitalization or reduced physical activity is a significant loss of muscle mass, strength, and overall functionality. Research indicates that just 10 days of inactivity may result in approximately 1 kg of muscle loss in seniors.”
Tackling the issue through nutritional solutions
The Muscle, Performance and Recovery team at Danone R&I is committed to exploring nutritional solutions that can mitigate loss or support muscle mass and functional regain during recovery. Protein stands out as a fundamental nutrient for muscle health, acting as a building block for muscle tissue regeneration.
- Innovative Research: By focusing on the critical role of protein and its interaction with other nutrients, exercise, and medication, we aim to develop comprehensive strategies that help individuals maintain muscle mass, improve recovery outcomes, and ultimately age in a fit and healthy manner.
- Individualized Nutrition: Our experts recognize the individual responses of patients to nutritional support during their recovery process. For this reason, we’re focused on understanding how different characteristics may impact the efficacy of nutritional and physical activity regimens.
This approach is pivotal in the formulation of tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of each patient, thereby ensuring the best possible health outcomes.
“Our team’s mission is to develop nutritional solutions that help individuals stay fit and healthy throughout their lives, with a particular focus on bolstering the recovery process of elderly post-surgery and during illness,” concludes Dr. de Vogel.