DIET AND FRAILTY SYNDROME - WHAT DO WE KNOW? A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Frailty syndrome is defined as a multidimensional degenerative process leading to a progressive loss of the body’s homeostasis and a significant increase in susceptibility to health deterioration under the influence of even minor stressors (Arroyo-Huidobro et al., 2025). Due to the progressive aging of the population, this syndrome is becoming a growing demographic problem and one of the main challenges for modern public health and geriatric care.  The aim of this study is to summarize the existing knowledge on the relationship between diet and the risk of frailty syndrome in older adults. Materials and Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The analysis included observational and clinical studies as well as systematic reviews published up to 2025 that examined the association between the diet followed by older adults and their biological status, and consequently, the risk of frailty syndrome. Results: It was demonstrated that strict adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of frailty by 56% compared to a Western diet or an unhealthy plant-based diet (uPDI). Maintaining muscle mass in older adults, which has a protective effect against frailty syndrome, requires an increased protein intake (1.0–1.5 g/kg body weight/day) and reaching the leucine threshold (2.5–3.0 g per meal) to overcome anabolic resistance and stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Antioxidant supplementation supports the reduction of chronic inflammation—a component of the pathogenesis of frailty syndrome. Conclusions: Optimizing dietary patterns and personalizing the daily intake of high-quality protein constitute a fundamental strategy for preventing the progression of frailty and sarcopenia in older adults.