Why do elderly people need to increase their calorie and protein intake during metabolic stress?
Individuals who are elderly and chronically ill, may be at higher risk for a dangerous stress response. The body’s response to stress may be triggered by injury or infection, and this leads to increased catabolism (tissue breakdown) and loss of lean body tissue, which in turn leads to protein energy malnutrition and weight loss. When the stress response is triggered, it creates a hypermetabolic state which increases nutritional needs. This hypermetabolic state can cause weight loss. Significant unintentional weight loss creates loss of lean body mass (LBM). LBM makes up 75% of body weight and provides the majority of the body’s protein. Protein is critical for growth and maintenance, fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base regulation, blood clotting, enzymatic functions, metabolism, and immune function. When the body has lost just 10% of its LBM there is a decrease in immune response with increased risk of infection. At 15% or more loss of LBM, various components compete for protein t
