Grannies get physical: how bodybuilding may hold the key to a major ageing problem

First paragraph: People have used bodybuilding to improve their physical performance for at least 1,500 years. The first recorded example was the sixth-century wrestler, Milo of Croton, in southern Italy. Milo reportedly carried out his daily exercises with a calf on his back. As the calf grew into a full sized ox, so too did Milo’s legendary strength. Access this article on The Conversation website: https://theconversation.com/grannies-get-physical-how-bodybuilding-may-hold-the-key-to-a-major-ageing-problem-3511

Hope for the New Year: getting fitter boosts even the survival of the fattest

First paragraph: Like many high school students I completely misunderstood the philosopher Herbert Spencer’s phrase “survival of the fittest.” I interpreted it to mean that those animals of a species that were the most physically fit were most likely to survive and reproduce. What Spencer was actually proposing when he first coined the phrase in 1864 to explain Darwin’s theory of natural selection was that those organisms that best “fit” their environment are the most likely to survive and reproduce. Access this article on The Conversation website: https://theconversation.com/hope-for-the-new-year-getting-fitter-boosts-even-the-survival-of-the-fattest-3579

Gym workout advice: protein guidance looks wrong, our findings suggest

First paragraph: Visit a gym regularly and you’re bound to hear a conversation along the lines of: “I’ve just started my new whey protein shake. It says one scoop post-workout on the tub, but I take two just to make sure.” Access this article on The Conversation website: https://theconversation.com/gym-workout-advice-protein-guidance-looks-wrong-our-findings-suggest-6464

What’s the best source of protein for building muscle – meat or plants?

First paragraph: Do vegan bodybuilders have the edge? A recent study was reported as showing plant-based protein was more effective for building muscle than that from animals

Athletes, you’re doing weight training all wrong

First paragraph: To become stronger and develop more muscle, you must lift heavier weights over relatively few repetitions. At least, that has been the received wisdom among professional athletes. However, a new body of evidence suggests that it may be wrong. https://theconversation.com/athletes-youre-doing-weight-training-all-wrong-6279

BCAA supplements are just hype – here’s a better way to build muscles

First paragraph: As gym regulars we never cease to be amazed at the array of post-workout concoctions people consume in the changing room. We see everything from pills and powders to a rainbow of luminous drinks. Mostly it’s with one goal in mind, of course: to obtain muscles as close to the models endorsing these supplements as you possibly can. The global market for sports nutrition products ispredicted tohit $45 billion (£33 billion) by 2022, an increase of about 60% on 2016 value. Previously the domain of bodybuilders and elite athletes, amateur exercisersare becomingbig supplement consumers thanks to the rising popularity of obstacle races, boot camps andCrossFit– all of which the product manufacturers target heavily. One particularly popular variety is products containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). These seem to promise all the benefits of boosting muscle-building after exercise with none of the hassle of foods. But do these products work – or are there better ways to help you get the most out of your gym membership

Chiral symmetry breaking via crystallization of the glycine and \alpha-amino acid system: a mathematical model

We introduce and numerically solve a mathematical model of the experimentally established mechanisms responsible for the symmetry breaking transition observed in the chiral crystallization experiments reported by I. Weissbuch, L. Addadi, L. Leiserowitz and M. Lahav, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110 (1988), 561-567. The mathematical model is based on five basic processes: (1) The formation of achiral glycine clusters in solution, (2) The nucleation of oriented glycine crystals at the air/water interface in the presence of hydrophobic amino acids, (3) A kinetic orienting effect which inhibits crystal growth, (4) The enantioselective occlusion of the amino acids from solution, and (5) The growth of oriented host glycine crystals at the interface. We translate these processes into differential rate equations. We first study the model with the orienting process (2) without (3) and then combine both allowing us to make detailed comparisons of both orienting effects which actually act in unison in the experiment. Numerical results indicate that the model can yield a high percentage orientation of the mixed crystals at the interface and the consequent resolution of the initially racemic mixture of amino acids in solution. The model thus leads to separation of enantiomeric territories, the generation and amplification of optical activity by enantioselective occlusion of chiral additives through chiral surfaces of glycine crystals

Live strong and prosper: the importance of skeletal muscle strength for healthy ageing

Due to improved health care, diet and infrastructure in developed countries, since 1840 life expectancy has increased by approximately 2years per decade. Accordingly, by 2050, a quarter of Europe’s population will be over 65years, representing a 10% rise in half a century. With this rapid rise comes an increased prevalence of diseases of ageing and associated healthcare expenditure. To address the health consequences of global ageing, research in model systems (worms, flies and mice) has indicated that reducing the rate of organ growth, via reductions in protein synthetic rates, has multi-organ health benefits that collectively lead to improvements in lifespan. In contrast, human pre-clinical, clinical and large cohort prospective studies demonstrate that ageing leads to anabolic (i.e. growth) impairments in skeletal muscle, which in turn leads to reductions in muscle mass and strength, factors directly associated with mortality rates in the elderly. As such, increasing muscle protein synthesis via exercise or protein-based nutrition maintains a strong, healthy muscle mass, which in turn leads to improved health, independence and functionality. The aim of this review is to critique current literature relating to the maintenance of muscle mass across lifespan and discuss whether maintaining or reducing protein synthesis is the most logical approach to support musculoskeletal function and by extension healthy human ageing

Growing older with health and vitality: a nexus of physical activity, exercise and nutrition

The preservation of skeletal muscle mass and strength with advancing age are, we propose, critical aspects of ageing with health and vitality. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition are known to accelerate the gradual age-related decline in muscle mass and strength—sarcopenia—however, both are subject to modification. The main purpose of this review is to present the latest, evidence-based recommendations for physical activity and exercise, as well as diet for older adults that would help in preserving muscle mass and strength. We take the position that future physical activity/exercise guidelines need to make specific reference to resistance exercise and highlight the benefits of higher-intensity aerobic exercise training, alongside advocating older adults perform aerobic-based physical activity and household tasks (e.g.,carrying groceries). In terms of dietary recommendations, greater emphasis should be placed onoptimalrather thanminimumprotein intakes for older adults. Indeed, guidelines that endorse a daily protein intake of 1.2–1.5g/kg BM/day, which are levels 50–90% greater than the current protein Recommendation Dietary Allowance (0.8g/kg BM/day), are likely to help preserve muscle mass and strength and are safe for healthy older adults. Being cognisant of factors (e.g., reduced appetite) that may preclude older adults from increasing their total daily protein intake, we echo the viewpoint of other active researchers in advocating that protein recommendations for older adults be based on a per meal approach in order to maximize muscle protein synthesis (MPS). On this basis, assuming three meals are consumed daily, a protein dose of 0.4–0.5g/kg BM should be contained in each meal. We are beginning to understand ways in which to increase the utilization of ingested protein for the stimulation of MPS, namely by increasing the proportion of leucine contained in a given dose of protein, co-ingesting other nutrients (e.g., carbohydrate and fat or supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) or being physically active prior to protein intake. Clearly, developing simple lifestyle interventions targeted at preserving muscle mass and strength with advancing age is crucial for facilitating longer, healthier lives into older age