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Serum albumin, a protein measured by a common lab test, has a large inverse relation with mortality.
Why?
Thread
Why?
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In very old people, albumin was a more important risk marker than traditional risk factors such as HDL, LDL, and HbA1c.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17636-0
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17636-0
"serum albumin concentration is inversely related to mortality risk in a graded manner over its entire range"
in both healthy people and those with acute or chronic illness. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895435697000152
in both healthy people and those with acute or chronic illness. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895435697000152
But, low albumin is NOT a consequence of normal aging.
So, what's going on? https://academic.oup.com/geronj/article-abstract/43/1/M18/557552
So, what's going on? https://academic.oup.com/geronj/article-abstract/43/1/M18/557552
While there are suggestions that low albumin is a sign of undetected illness...
albumin is also associated with loss of muscle mass. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/82/3/531/4862957?login=true
albumin is also associated with loss of muscle mass. https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/82/3/531/4862957?login=true
"the increased risk of disability with low serum albumin concentrations observed in the elderly may actually reflect an association with sarcopenia."
Sarcopenia = pathological muscle loss https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/64/4/552/4650708?login=true
Sarcopenia = pathological muscle loss https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/64/4/552/4650708?login=true
Old age is not a cause of low albumin, but is associated with muscle loss
and indicates malnutrition.
and indicates malnutrition.
Albumin Synthesis Is Diminished in Men Consuming a Predominantly Vegetarian Diet
Since albumin is itself a protein, this points to lower protein intake https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/3/528/4686209?login=true
Since albumin is itself a protein, this points to lower protein intake https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/130/3/528/4686209?login=true
Conclusion: low albumin is a strong risk factor for mortality.
It's associated with low muscle mass and low protein intake.
Increased dietary protein and resistance training may be the best ways to counteract low albumin.
It's associated with low muscle mass and low protein intake.
Increased dietary protein and resistance training may be the best ways to counteract low albumin.
