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Gain the strength to try something new in your 60s
Gain the strength to try something new in your 60s
Ensure
Published Jan 13, 2025 10:44 AM PHT


Screenshot source: Abbott

Screenshot source: Abbott
Today, seniors want to embrace active lifestyles, such as joining fitness classes, trying sports, or even going on nature walks to stay energized and engaged. But as we age, our bodies may not respond as they once did.
Today, seniors want to embrace active lifestyles, such as joining fitness classes, trying sports, or even going on nature walks to stay energized and engaged. But as we age, our bodies may not respond as they once did.
Exercises and activities that once felt easy may now leave us feeling fatigued, or even sore, for days. Tasks as simple as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or balancing during a brisk walk may become more challenging over time. One common issue behind these changes is the progressive loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia or muscle decay.
Exercises and activities that once felt easy may now leave us feeling fatigued, or even sore, for days. Tasks as simple as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or balancing during a brisk walk may become more challenging over time. One common issue behind these changes is the progressive loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia or muscle decay.

Photo source: Abbott
After age 40, people may lose up to 8% of their muscle mass per decade, and this loss may accelerate with age. The SHIELD (Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition) study conducted by Changi General Hospital, SingHealth Polyclinics, and Abbott revealed that for seniors over 65, each additional year is associated with a 13% higher chance of having low muscle mass.1 This loss not only affects physical strength but is also linked to increased risks of falls, fractures, and reduced mobility.
After age 40, people may lose up to 8% of their muscle mass per decade, and this loss may accelerate with age. The SHIELD (Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition) study conducted by Changi General Hospital, SingHealth Polyclinics, and Abbott revealed that for seniors over 65, each additional year is associated with a 13% higher chance of having low muscle mass.1 This loss not only affects physical strength but is also linked to increased risks of falls, fractures, and reduced mobility.

Screenshot source: Abbott
The cycle of weakness
Research has found that low muscle mass is also linked to a higher risk of infections, which, in turn, may further contribute to muscle loss. This cycle of weakness may impact our overall health and quality of life.17
Research has found that low muscle mass is also linked to a higher risk of infections, which, in turn, may further contribute to muscle loss. This cycle of weakness may impact our overall health and quality of life.17
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To combat age-related muscle decay and support the immune system, it is important to prioritize strategies that maintain muscle mass and promote immune function.
To combat age-related muscle decay and support the immune system, it is important to prioritize strategies that maintain muscle mass and promote immune function.
How to maintain muscle health and immune strength as we age
Maintaining muscle mass and immune health does not have to be complicated. Here are some strategies recommended for seniors to help preserve strength and resilience:
Maintaining muscle mass and immune health does not have to be complicated. Here are some strategies recommended for seniors to help preserve strength and resilience:
Engage in regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and include resistance training to help maintain muscles and strength. If you are an older adult or have any underlying health conditions, consider consulting your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise regimen. This step ensures your safety and helps you design an activity plan tailored to your needs, setting you up for a healthier, stronger you!
Engage in regular exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week and include resistance training to help maintain muscles and strength. If you are an older adult or have any underlying health conditions, consider consulting your healthcare provider before starting a new exercise regimen. This step ensures your safety and helps you design an activity plan tailored to your needs, setting you up for a healthier, stronger you!
Eat enough protein: Incorporate protein-rich food, like chicken, seafood, eggs, beans, or dairy, aiming for approximately 25-30 grams per meal (around a cup of beans or a small chicken breast). Adults 65 and up may need more protein than younger adults.2-4 To amp up protein intake further, add in protein snacks, like one before bed or supplement your diet if needed.
Eat enough protein: Incorporate protein-rich food, like chicken, seafood, eggs, beans, or dairy, aiming for approximately 25-30 grams per meal (around a cup of beans or a small chicken breast). Adults 65 and up may need more protein than younger adults.2-4 To amp up protein intake further, add in protein snacks, like one before bed or supplement your diet if needed.
Follow a nutritious diet: Choose a balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats. Proper nutrition – including immune-supporting nutrients and ingredients like vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, protein and YBG – also plays a role in supporting immune health.
Follow a nutritious diet: Choose a balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats. Proper nutrition – including immune-supporting nutrients and ingredients like vitamins A, C, D and E, zinc, protein and YBG – also plays a role in supporting immune health.
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Consider Oral Nutrition Supplements with HMB and YBG:
HMB (or beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is a naturally occurring compound that helps preserve and build muscle mass by hindering muscle breakdown. While it occurs naturally in foods like avocados, grapefruit, and catfish, it is hard to get enough from food sources alone5. That is why supplements like Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro, which contains both HMB and YBG, may be beneficial for maintaining muscle health, along with proper diet and daily activities.
HMB (or beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is a naturally occurring compound that helps preserve and build muscle mass by hindering muscle breakdown. While it occurs naturally in foods like avocados, grapefruit, and catfish, it is hard to get enough from food sources alone5. That is why supplements like Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro, which contains both HMB and YBG, may be beneficial for maintaining muscle health, along with proper diet and daily activities.
YBG (Yeast Beta Glucan) has been clinically proven to help strengthen the immune system. It is associated with improved markers of immunity, such as high levels of circulating immune cells and increased antibody production that strengthens mucosal immunity to help protect against pathogen entry.
YBG (Yeast Beta Glucan) has been clinically proven to help strengthen the immune system. It is associated with improved markers of immunity, such as high levels of circulating immune cells and increased antibody production that strengthens mucosal immunity to help protect against pathogen entry.

Photo source: Abbott
The role of nutritional supplements in ageing
Research have demonstrated that oral nutritional supplements may help increase energy and protein intakes, body weight, and reduce hospital readmissions and healthcare costs in older adults6-11. In addition, HMB has been reported to have potential benefits on muscle mass and muscle strength12-16.
Research have demonstrated that oral nutritional supplements may help increase energy and protein intakes, body weight, and reduce hospital readmissions and healthcare costs in older adults6-11. In addition, HMB has been reported to have potential benefits on muscle mass and muscle strength12-16.
Combining YBG with HMB, as found in Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro, may help break the cycle of muscle loss and weakened immunity, promoting better health and well-being in older adults, along with proper diet, daily activities, and rest.
Combining YBG with HMB, as found in Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro, may help break the cycle of muscle loss and weakened immunity, promoting better health and well-being in older adults, along with proper diet, daily activities, and rest.
Photo source: Abbott

By prioritizing proper nutrition and incorporating helpful supplements, we may break the cycle of weakness and build a cycle of strength to enjoy healthy and active lives as we age.
By prioritizing proper nutrition and incorporating helpful supplements, we may break the cycle of weakness and build a cycle of strength to enjoy healthy and active lives as we age.
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To learn more about Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro and how it may support healthy ageing, visit the official website of Ensure and follow Alagang Abbott on Facebook.
To learn more about Ensure Gold with Streng+hPro and how it may support healthy ageing, visit the official website of Ensure and follow Alagang Abbott on Facebook.
PH.2024.55874.ENS.1 (v1.0)
PH.2024.55874.ENS.1 (v1.0)
A0074P010725E
A0074P010725E
References:
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