Sarcopenia
Protein intake and physical activity are important stimuli for muscle protein synthesis. A number of expert groups have proposed an increase in dietary protein recommendations for older age groups to 1.0-1.2 g/kg body weight per day.
Key nutrient supplementation in older adults is of interest in the prevention of sarcopenia and frailty, since it is a simple, low-cost treatment approach without major side effects.
Potassium
The U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) sets Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), or Adequate Intakes (AIs) for when there is not sufficient information to set EARs and RDAs. Collectively the EARs, RDAs, AIs and ULs are referred to as Dietary Reference Intakes. The AIs for potassium are: 400 mg of potassium for 0-6-month-old males, 700 mg of potassium for 7-12-month-old males, 3,000 mg of potassium for 1-3-year-old males, 3,800 mg of potassium for 4-8-year-old males, 4,500 mg of potassium for 9-13-year-old males, and 4,700 mg of potassium for males that are 14 years old and older.
The AIs for potassium are: 400 mg of potassium for 0-6-month-old females, 700 mg of potassium for 7-12-month-old females, 3,000 mg of potassium for 1-3-year-old females, 3,800 mg of potassium for 4-8-year-old females, 4,500 mg of potassium for 9-13-year-old females, and 4,700 mg of potassium for females that are 14 years old and older.
The AIs for potassium are: 4,700 mg of potassium for 14-50-year-old pregnant females; furthermore, 5,100 mg of potassium for 14-50-year-old lactating females. As for safety, the IOM also sets Tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for vitamins and minerals, but for potassium the evidence was insufficient, so no UL established.