Pol Grootswagers

Wageningen University & Research | WUR · Cluster of Nutrition Science

Background: There are several mechanisms via which increased protein intake might maintain or improve bone mineral density (BMD), but current evidence for an association or effect is inconclusive. The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between dietary protein intake (total, plant and animal) with BMD (spine and total body...

A well-performed and large intervention study by Iuliano et al. showed that protein and calcium supplementation via regular dairy products reduces the risk of fractures and falls in vitamin D replete older adults in aged care facilities. The study was performed in Australia, which raises the question whether their intervention might also be effecti...

Background Handheld dynamometry (HHD) is a practical alternative to traditional testing of lower extremity strength. However, its reliability and validity across different populations and settings are not clear. Hypothesis We hypothesize that HHD is a valid and reliable device to assess lower extremity strength in a population of older adults. St...

Consumers are increasingly encouraged to consume more plant-based foods and lower their consumption of foods from animal origin. Concurrently, older adults are recommended to consume an adequate amount of high-quality dietary protein for the prevention of age-related muscle loss. In the current perspective, we discuss why it may not be preferred to...

A well-performed and large intervention study by Iuliano et al. showed that protein and calcium supplementation via regular dairy products reduces the risk of fractures and falls in vitamin D replete older adults in aged care facilities. The study was performed in Australia, which raises the question whether their intervention might also be effecti...

During ageing, losses in muscle mass and muscle strength are common. Unfavourable changes in muscle architecture and neurological activation of muscle tissue decrease the unit-specific muscular output, also known as muscle quality. Together, the losses in the muscular domains lead to lower physical functioning and thereby jeopardise one's independe...

In an ageing society, the preservation of health and function is becoming increasingly important. The present paper acknowledges that ageing is malleable and focuses on diets and key nutritional concerns later in life. It presents evidence for the importance of healthful dietary patterns and points towards specific nutritional concerns later in lif...

Undernutrition in older adults is mainly addressed by oral nutritional supplements, which do not affect physical functioning. In this study, we tested a novel oral nutritional supplement that included whey and casein protein, ursolic acid, free branch-chained amino acids and vitamin D against a standard supplement. We included older adults (>65y) w...

Background Maintenance of high physical performance during aging might be supported by an adequate dietary intake of niacin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and folate because these B vitamins are involved in multiple processes related to muscle functioning. However, not much is known about the association between dietary intake of these B vitamins and phys...

Background: Prehabilitation might attenuate common surgery-induced losses in muscle mass and physical performance. Beneficial effects of physical exercise with protein supplementation have been reported in older adults, but typically after an intervention of at least 12 weeks. The time-window for pre-surgery training is often limited to around 30...

Background: In nutritional epidemiology, dealing with confounding and complex internutrient relations are major challenges. An often-used approach is dietary pattern analyses, such as principal component analysis, to deal with internutrient correlations, and to more closely resemble the true way nutrients are consumed. However, despite these impro...

Vitamin D is proposed as an antihypertensive agent, but current evidence is inconclusive. Calcifediol is more potent in raising vitamin D status. It might, therefore, be more effective in lowering pulse pressure than cholecalciferol especially in patients with low vitamin D status and high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). This study investigate...

Tot 2040 wordt een stijging van het aantal artrosepatiënten van 52% verwacht. Tegen artrose is geen medicijn beschikbaar, en patiënten worden behandeld met pijnstillers. Als nieuwe strategie om klachten bij artrose te verminderen worden chondroprotectiva voorgesteld. Chondroitine maakt deel uit van deze groep. Chondroitine is een bestanddeel van he...