Protein, Aging, and Muscle Strength: Why Nutrition Matters More Than Ever for Healthy Aging in MENA and South Asia
As populations across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and South Asia continue to age, health systems are facing a growing challenge that often goes unnoticed: the silent loss of muscle strength in older adults.
Author: MENA Health Foundation
Category: Healthy Aging, Nutrition, Women’s Health
Introduction
As populations across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA), and South Asia continue to age, health systems are facing a growing challenge that often goes unnoticed: the silent loss of muscle strength in older adults. This condition, known as Sarcopenia, causes gradual muscle wasting, weakness, slower movement, and an increased risk of falls and disability. For many families, this can mean loss of independence, greater caregiving burdens, and reduced quality of life.
A recent study, conducted at the University of Lahore in Pakistan, published in Frontiers in Nutrition (2025) provides encouraging evidence that something as simple as improving protein intake may help older women maintain stronger muscles and healthier aging outcomes. The findings are especially important for MENA and South Asian populations, where nutritional deficiencies, low physical activity, and aging populations are becoming major public health concerns.
What Did the Study Find?
The research trial was conducted at the District Headquarters Hospital, Eid Gah Road, Okara, Pakistan and examined elderly women with sarcopenia and compared the effects of different protein intake levels over a 12-week period. Researchers compared women consuming the standard protein recommendation of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day with women consuming a higher protein intake of 1.2 g/kg/day.
- Women consuming higher protein diets showed significantly better
- muscle strength and muscle composition.
- Handgrip strength improved to approximately 21.46 kg in the higher-protein group, an important indicator of healthy aging and independence.
- Leg muscle strength improved, including knee flexion strength measurements reaching 0.93 Nm/kg.
- MRI scans showed improvements in thigh and calf muscle size, confirming real muscle preservation and growth.
- Women in the higher-protein group also experienced reductions in waist circumference (about 3.9 cm) and body fat mass (approximately 2.96 kg).
- The findings suggest that the traditional protein recommendation of 0.8 g/kg/day may not be enough for older adults at risk of sarcopenia.
Why This Matters for MENA and South Asian Communities
The results of this study are highly relevant for communities across the MENA region and South Asia. Many older adults in these regions consume diets that may be high in refined carbohydrates but lower in high-quality protein sources. In addition, vitamin D deficiency, sedentary lifestyles, chronic diseases, and limited access to elderly nutrition education may increase the risk of muscle loss with aging.
In South Asia, vegetarian or low-protein diets may unintentionally leave older adults vulnerable to frailty if protein needs are not carefully met through legumes, dairy, eggs, or other protein-rich foods. In the MENA region, rapidly aging populations combined with rising rates of diabetes and obesity make healthy aging strategies even more urgent.
The encouraging message from this study is that improving protein intake does not require expensive or highly complex interventions. Simple dietary changes — such as increasing lentils, beans, yogurt, milk, eggs, fish, or lean meats where culturally appropriate — may help older adults maintain strength and independence for longer.
Public Health and Policy Implications
The study supports the growing need for healthy aging nutrition policies across MENA and South Asia. Governments, healthcare providers, and community organizations may consider:
• Updating nutrition guidelines to include higher protein targets for older adults.
• Expanding community nutrition education programs focused on aging & muscle health.
• Screening older adults for sarcopenia during routine healthcare visits.
• Supporting affordable access to healthy protein-rich foods.
• Combining nutrition interventions with physical activity & strength-building programs.
Final Thoughts
Healthy aging is not only about living longer — it is about living stronger. This study highlights how nutrition, particularly adequate protein intake, may play a major role in helping older women maintain mobility, independence, and quality of life. As MENA and South Asian countries continue to address the challenges of aging populations, nutrition-focused public health strategies could become one of the most practical and cost-effective tools for reducing frailty and improving long-term well-being.
Reference
Ishaq, I., Noreen, S., Aja, P. M., & Atoki, A. V. (2025). Role of protein intake in maintaining muscle mass composition among elderly females suffering from sarcopenia. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12, 1547325. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1547325