Older people who avoid meat during their golden years may be less likely to avoid meat reach 100 years old According to a new study, even more than they eat meat.
Researchers followed more than 5,000 adults aged 80 and older enrolled in the China Longitudinal Health and Longevity Study.
From 1998 to 2018, data showed that people who didn’t eat meat were less likely to reach their 100th birthday than those who ate meat. animal products Regularly.
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This finding seems to contradict previous research linking veganism and veganism. plant based diet Reduces risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.
Most of the evidence supporting the benefits of plant-based diets comes from studies that follow young adults, the researchers noted.
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, notes that muscle mass and bone density decrease with age, and these changes can increase the risk of malnutrition and frailty in the “oldest people.”
As people enter their 80s and 90s, Nutrition priority Experts say that in many cases, there is a shift from preventing long-term chronic diseases to maintaining day-to-day functioning.
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“The headline ‘Vegetarians over 80 are less likely to reach 100’ sounds surprising because it contrasts with decades of data showing that plant-forward diets reduce the risk of chronic disease early in life,” New Jersey-based registered dietitian Erin Palinsky-Wade told Fox News Digital.
“However, the results are less surprising when you realize that this study was limited to adults over 80 years of age who were underweight, and that this association disappeared with the intake of eggs, dairy products, and fish.”
In people over 80, even if you limit animal protein, promote longevitysaid Palinsky-Wade, who was not involved in the study.
Eliminating all animal protein may make it more difficult to meet sufficient protein needs, especially in populations that may already experience decreased hunger, potentially increasing the risk of: malnutritionsaid the nutritionist.
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In addition to being more likely to be underweight, older people also have a higher risk of bone fractures because they consume less calcium and protein.
The researchers noted that the lower proportion of vegetarians reaching 100 was observed only among participants who identified as underweight. No such association was found in people who maintained a healthy weight.
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The researchers noted that body weight may explain some of the findings, making it difficult to determine whether diet itself plays a direct role, as being underweight is already associated with increased frailty and mortality risk.
Additionally, people who continued to eat non-meat animal products such as fish, dairy products, and eggs did not see a reduction in lifespan.
Older adults who eat these more flexible diets are just as likely to live to age 100 as those who eat meat, the researchers noted, because these foods may provide the nutrients needed to maintain muscle and bone health.
“Because this is an observational study, it can only show an association, not prove that avoiding meat directly reduces your chances of reaching 100,” Palinski-Wade added.
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Researchers suggested that incorporating small amounts of animal-based foods may help older adults maintain essential nutrients and avoid muscle loss common in people who eat only plants.
Palinsky-Wade offered some guidance for people looking to optimize their nutrition later in life.
“For adults over 80, especially those who are losing weight or muscle, maintaining a healthy weight and meeting their protein and micronutrient needs should be a priority, even if that means adding or increasing fish, eggs, dairy, or strategically fortified plants.” protein and supplements. ”
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Strict vegan or low-protein patterns at that age need to be closely monitored by nutritionists and clinicians, paying attention to vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and total protein, Palinsky-Wade said.
“Younger and healthier adults You can confidently use plant-forward or vegetarian patterns to lower your risk of long-term chronic disease,” she added.
