Developing health functional foods for sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and function, significantly diminishes quality of life. While the exact pathogenesis remains elusive, a combination of aging, malnutrition, and physical inactivity is implicated. This review systematically evaluated the potential of natural products to prevent and treat sarcopenia. The results revealed that various natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, and catechin, have demonstrated promising effects on mitigating sarcopenia by increasing muscle mass, grip strength, and mitochondrial function. Preclinical studies have elucidated the underlying mechanisms, such as stimulating muscle protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation. Clinical trials have also shown some natural compounds can slow down the rate of muscle loss and improve physical function, although long-term efficacy and safety require further investigation. In conclusion, natural products represent a promising therapeutic strategy for sarcopenia prevention and treatment. Systematic studies on the efficacy and safety of individual compounds are needed to develop personalized treatment approaches.