For immediate release Tuesday 29^th April 2008

CAN SIMPLE DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IMPROVE HEALTH IN OLD AGE BY REDUCING MUSCLE LOSS AND REDUCING RISK OF DEVELOPING DIABETES?

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR NEW STUDY.

Where the working of our bodies is concerned, getting older is not much fun.

We can lose up to 30-40% of our muscle mass as we get older and if we pile on the pounds, we also have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In a new study launched today (Tuesday 29^th April 2008) Aberdeen scientists are hoping to find out whether taking a simple dietary supplement will help to reduce these age-related health problems.

As we age, our muscles become less sensitive to the action of insulin, a substance produced in our bodies when we eat, and which regulates the levels of glucose in our blood. One of the results of this reduced sensitivity to insulin is a progressive loss of our muscle mass as the balance between muscle synthesis and breakdown is altered, with the rate of muscle breakdown overtaking the muscle building function.

Studies using animal models have shown that the composition of the membranes which surround the muscle tissue, and in particular the types of fats which are present in the membrane, can affect the way the muscle responds to insulin. The type of fat in the muscle membranes seems to improve the sensitivity of the tissue to insulin and as a result improves the use of both glucose and protein by the muscle, and this in turn reduces the age-related loss of muscle tissue.

The aim of this study is to see whether the composition of the muscle membranes in older, overweight men can be altered as a result of taking a dietary fish oil supplement over a relatively long time. This is turn should improve the insulin sensitivity of the muscle and reduce muscle loss and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Dr Carole Thivierge from Aberdeen’s Rowett Research Institute who is leading the study said: “I’m hoping to recruit 42 overweight or obese men, aged between 50 and 69 years for this study. It will be quite easy to take part in the study because I will just be asking the volunteers to take a dietary supplement in the form of capsules for nine months. We are not asking anyone to change their lifestyle or lose weight. The volunteers will need to attend our Human Nutrition Unit every month for a range of measures and monitoring studies.

“The onset of insulin resistance and its associated problems such as muscle loss and the development of type 2 diabetes affects a large number of older people – potentially up to 25% of the population. The loss of muscle in older people has a very significant impact of the quality of their lives, making them less mobile and less able to live independently. We very much hope that volunteers will come forward to take part in this study as it could ultimately benefit a great many people,” said Dr Thivierge.

If you are interested volunteering for the study please contact Sylvia Hay, Manager of the Human Nutrition Unit, on 01224 716607 or by email: sh@rowett.ac.uk

ENDS

Carole Thivierge is available for interview - please contact Sue Bird, Knowledge Transfer Manager, 01224 716668, 07711 093417.

The Rowett Research Institute, ABERDEEN, AB21 9SB, is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for nutrition research. We undertake research to improve food quality and prevent disease. Further information available at www.rowett.ac.uk

The Rowett Research Institute is sponsored by The Scottish Government - RERAD (www.scotland.gov.uk).

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