Abbott collaborates with MHAS to tackle age-related muscle loss

In response to the rapidly increasing ageing population in Malaysia, which is projected to reach 15% by 2040, Abbott, a global healthcare company, has teamed up with the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) to address the pressing issue of age-related muscle loss. Currently, one in three adults aged 60 and above in Malaysia suffers from low muscle mass, posing significant threats to their overall health and well-being.

The collaboration between Abbott and MHAS aims to raise awareness about the importance of muscle health among older adults to foster a healthy ageing community. By conducting a series of educational activities on muscle health and screening, the initiative seeks to empower Malaysian adults to take proactive measures to prevent age-related muscle loss, which substantially increases the risk of disability.

Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, President of MHAS, emphasized the critical need for preventive measures, stating, “If adults don’t take preventive measures, age-related muscle loss can cause overall health issues and difficulty for adults to perform daily activities.” He expressed hope that through the collaboration with Abbott, they can support ageing Malaysians by encouraging adults to screen for muscle loss and take control of their health through proper diet and regular physical activity.

Strengthening muscle health

Many adults may not recognize the signs of muscle loss, which include low energy, reduced strength, slower walking speed, and fatigue. To address this, Abbott is organizing a muscle health awareness roadshow, including the #Stand4Strength challenge across Malaysia from April to October. The challenge encourages individuals to undertake a simple, scientifically validated sit-to-stand exercise and input their results into the Muscle Age Calculator online to assess their muscle age.

Additionally, MHAS will host the ASEAN Conference on Healthy Ageing in Penang in August to educate healthcare professionals and the public on how to address and prevent sarcopenia.

While ageing is a natural process, muscle loss doesn’t have to be inevitable. Research indicates that maintaining complete and balanced nutrition alongside regular physical activity can help prevent or slow down age-related physical weakness.

Dr. Nina Mazera Mohd Said, Abbott’s Nutrition Medical Director for Malaysia, stressed the importance of focusing on nutrient-rich foods, particularly protein, to prevent muscle loss and promote healthy ageing. She introduced Abbott’s breakthrough innovation, Ensure® Gold StrengthPro, designed to enhance strength and immunity for a better quality of life among Malaysian adults.

Ensure® Gold StrengthPro features a dual-action formula containing HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) to strengthen muscle health in 8 weeks and YBG (yeast beta glucan) to enhance immunity in 4 weeks. Alongside other essential nutrients, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3, the product is available in three flavors (vanilla, wheat, and coffee) and is widely accessible through retail stores, supermarkets, and e-commerce platforms across Malaysia.