While age comes with its merits, it also brings a myriad of health-related issues. One of the most formidable adversaries many of us face is the battle of the bulge. Year after year, the unwanted weight just seems to sneak on. Even when we eat right and stay active, it’s difficult to drop those pesky pounds, especially as we age. Fortunately, there’s a more straightforward solution to sustaining a healthy weight. Findings from BioTRUST demonstrate a significant connection between protein intake and healthy weight management.

It’s important to know that our metabolism slows down as we age. This decline in metabolic rate can lead to a range of issues caused by age-related muscle loss. Yes, believe it or not, we do naturally lose weight as we get older, but it’s the wrong kind: metabolically active muscle mass, which unfortunately gets replaced with unwanted body fat.

One of the biggest factors underpinning said age-related muscle loss is inadequate protein intake. Research reveals that to maintain a healthy weight, the body typically needs 150 to 180 grams of protein per day. However, for many consuming this amount of protein exclusively from our regular diets can be an uphill battle. It’s time intensive, it’s expensive, and it generally involves eating more (and taking in more unnecessary calories).

This challenge becomes more pronounced as we age. Paradoxically, many individuals tend to consume even less protein as they grow older, despite recent research indicating an increased need for protein in aging bodies. This exacerbates the issues related to metabolism and weight management, creating a cycle that can be challenging to break. This is where protein supplements like BioTRUST’s Low Carb Lite(™) come to the rescue.

Low Carb Lite is a high-quality, low carb whey protein powder that makes it a breeze to increase your daily protein intake, which is helpful for maintaining a healthy weight, while steering clear of unnecessary calories. To best understand the value of this supplement and how people can benefit from it, we reached out to BioTRUST’s Vice President of Research & Development, Tim Skwiat.

Interviewer: Hello Tim, thank you for joining us.

Tim: It’s my pleasure. I understand you had a few questions you’d like to ask.

Interviewer: Yes, we wanted to start with gaining a better understanding of why your metabolism declines with age.

Tim: Age-related metabolic decline is closely tied to muscle loss as muscles play a significant role in daily calorie burn. To address this, we need to consider two vital factors: activity levels and diet. As we age, we often become less active, especially activities that build and maintain muscle. Physical activity not only burns calories but also helps maintain muscle. At the same time, consuming protein is essential for muscle preservation and metabolic health, but aging bodies need more protein. Often as we get older we don’t eat enough protein. So, staying active and prioritizing protein intake can help combat age-related metabolic decline.

Interviewer: Common sense says that going to the gym and eating right should help elevate your metabolism, correct?

Tim: Improving metabolism as you age is achievable through “Move More, Eat More,” but there’s a catch. All exercise boosts metabolism, but the afterburn effect is often overstated. Strength training, like lifting weights, is the most effective way to maintain muscle and metabolism and offers a long-term solution. However, as we just discussed, as we age we generally are less physically active. Strength training regularly can become more challenging. Now, when it comes to eating, aging often leads to eating less, especially protein. Research indicates we need more protein as we age because our bodies process it less efficiently. Protein also has a higher thermic effect, meaning it burns 3-6 times more calories during digestion compared to carbs and fats, though it’s not a drastic change.

Interviewer: You keep saying as we age we eat less and less protein. How much protein should someone be consuming each day?

Tim: It really varies depending on your age, weight and level of activity. However, in general you want to shoot for 150 to 180g of protein a day for the average person. That’s pretty hard to consume day after day. To put it into perspective, the average American adult consumes roughly 90 grams of protein per day, which is 40 – 50% below the ideal target. That’s why our team at BioTRUST developed Low Carb Lite Whey Protein Powder as an easy solution to add additional protein to your diet.

Interviewer: You mentioned that over the phone. Can you explain what Low Carb Lite is and how it supports the body?

Tim: Of course! BioTRUST’s Low Carb Lite is a high-quality whey protein powder. It’s made from pure whey protein isolate, known to help increase lean muscle, reduce body fat, and improve body composition. It’s free of artificial ingredients, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs, and rigorously tested for safety. You get 20 grams of protein for just 100 calories, making it an efficient choice for weight management. Plus, the high protein content helps curb appetite, making it easier to maintain your weight and feel satisfied. And it’s delicious, guilt-free with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners!

According to Tim, combating age-related weight gain and sluggish metabolism is a complex juggling act that requires precision nutrition just as much as healthy eating and regular exercise. When paired with healthy habits, BioTRUST’s Low Carb Lite helps to keep the body sustainably energized, making it easier for anyone to get healthy and stay healthy as they grow older.  

TIM SKWIAT, VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

One of BioTRUST’s original employees, Tim has been a member of the team since the company’s launch in 2012, and he has 20+ years of health and wellness experience. Tim completed his undergraduate degree in Movement & Sports Science at Purdue University, and he earned his Master’s degree in Sports Science & Nutrition from the University of Texas at Austin. Tim is a published author of over a dozen evidence-based eBooks delving into the nitty gritty of nutrition for overall health, body composition, cognitive function, joint health, hormonal health, sexual performance, healthy aging, and more.