Nutritional Approach to Diabetic Sarcopenia: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Endocrinology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly impacts individuals over 50, presenting substantial healthcare costs.
• Diabetic sarcopenia (DS), the loss of muscle mass and function in diabetic patients, is a growing concern in elderly populations.
• Nutrition plays a critical role in managing T2DM and its associated complication, DS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate diabetic sarcopenia (DS) and its intricate relationship with nutritional interventions.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of DS through a detailed literature review.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of current literature on DS and nutrition.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across major scientific databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed).
• The review encompassed studies from inception up to July 2024.
• Focus was placed on understanding DS mechanisms and nutritional management strategies.

Main Results:

• Nutritional treatment aims to enhance muscle mass, strength, and physical performance while managing diabetes-related metabolic risks and glucose levels.
• Recommended energy intake for individuals with DS should exceed 30 kcal/kg.
• A protein intake of at least 1-1.2 g/kg/day is advised, emphasizing meal timing and a diet rich in branched-chain amino acids (BCAA).
• Diets rich in antioxidants and adequate macro/micronutrients are important, with the Mediterranean diet being a potential option.

Conclusions:

• Specific dietary recommendations for DS are needed, highlighting the importance of further clinical studies.
• Optimizing nutrition is key to improving outcomes for individuals with diabetic sarcopenia.
• Current evidence suggests a multi-faceted nutritional approach for managing DS.