Eggs Help To Maintain Muscle Strength In Elderly

When the elderly residents of Portsmouth were told they couldn't eat soft-boiled eggs, there was almost a riot. Now it's official - telling elderly people to avoid eggs is not only unnecessary but could also have potentially negative implications, according to research published on nutrition.org.

This latest research shows that a combination of eating high protein foods, such as eggs, and light resistance training could reduce the incidence of Sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass that occurs in the elderly. Sarcopenia can carry consequences that self perpetuate the 'vicious circle' of ill health.

"Everyone knows about the risk of fractures from osteoporosis, but risk from Sarcopenia is usually overlooked. Sarcopenia results in loss of muscle strength and subsequently loss of balance that often results in falls and fractures. Patients are then hospitalised/immobilised, during which time their Sarcopenia is exacerbated," explained Cath Macdonald, nutritionist for the British Egg Information Service.

"The cost to the NHS of treating such patients, let alone the pain and discomfort that this potentially preventable condition can cause, is enormous - especially when the measures that seem to successfully stem this disease are inexpensive and readily available."

In 2000, the estimated (USA) healthcare costs of treating sarcopenia patients was put at $18.5 billion, which represented approximately 1.5% of total healthcare expenditure.

Far from being a 'forbidden food', eggs provide such valuable 'functionality' for the elderly that their consumption should be encouraged. Eggs are foods that elderly people enjoy and want to eat. The recent uprising from the elderly residents of Portsmouth proved that eggs are a real favourite with this age group.

"Many elderly residents have been eating lightly boiled eggs all their lives and object to people telling them they have to stop. Although there has been a food safety issue in the past, the Lion Quality vaccination programme has made them the safest in the world," said Cath Macdonald.

While coronary risk factors for the general population have been identified and accepted, the same may not be true for elderly people. The widely accepted low fat diet, for the general population, can lead to poor calorie intake and nutrient deficiencies, for the elderly.

The relaunch of the British Lion has made the UK egg industry the world leader in terms of food safety, and is chiefly responsible for the huge reduction in cases of food poisoning. Its wide-reaching Code of Practice, including vaccination of the laying flock, feed controls, full traceability and a best before date and Lion symbol on the egg shell and box, has led people from politicians, Government bodies to consumer groups to the media and, most importantly, to consumers, to recognise the Lion as the gold standard.