PhD Conferral Stefan H.M. Gorissen

“Dietary factors modulating postprandial protein handling”

Keywords: aging, muscle mass, nutrition, protein intake

The aging process is associated with loss of muscle mass and reduced strength. This increases the risk of falls and fractures and can greatly reduce quality of life for older people. In addition to getting adequate exercise, it's important to eat a protein-rich diet to stimulate muscle growth. The degree to which muscle growth is stimulated depends on the composition of our diet. This dissertation found that different nutritional factors influence protein digestion and muscle building. Optimising protein intake and ensuring the maximum stimulation of muscle building after each meal can help us maintain muscle mass as we age.