A comprehensive white paper on musculoskeletal health and nutrition for middle-aged and elderly adults has been jointly released by Feihe Aiben and Capital Medical University. The report, titled "White Paper on Musculoskeletal Nutrition and Health in Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults," was co-edited by Professor Yuan Linhong, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at the Capital Medical University School of Public Health, and Zhang Xuguang, Vice President of Feihe Dairy and Director of the Feihe Research Institute. As the first professional report in China based on clinical data from a sample exceeding 34,000 individuals, the white paper systematically reveals the current state of musculoskeletal decline and its key nutritional causes among China's middle-aged and elderly population. It focuses on core dimensions such as protein intake, muscle health, bone status, and mobility levels, and proposes scientifically actionable intervention pathways. Leveraging the core research findings, Feihe Aiben has simultaneously launched a significant new product—the Feihe Aiben Small-Molecule Milk Protein Premium Special Formula Powder. This initiative follows a "research guidance + product implementation" model, aiming to advance health management for the elderly into a more scientific and precise new stage.
34,000 Clinical Data Points: Uncovering the Core Truth Behind Declining Mobility in the Elderly The data for this white paper is authoritative and comprehensive, sourced entirely from clinical examination databases of top-tier hospitals in Beijing from January 2023 to September 2025, with a total sample size of 34,066 individuals aged 16 to 93. Middle-aged and elderly adults constituted over 58% of the sample. The research team systematically collected comprehensive indicators including serum protein, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, body composition, physical parameters, ultrasound imaging, and lifestyle factors. Through multi-dimensional cross-analysis, the data objectively presents the muscle, bone, and nutritional status of individuals across different ages, genders, and physiques, offering industry-leading objectivity and reference value.
The white paper's core conclusions clearly point to insufficient protein intake as a significant factor contributing to muscle loss, bone fragility, and declining mobility in middle-aged and elderly adults. Data shows that the average daily protein intake for Chinese adults over 65 is only 52.9 grams, representing an average shortfall of 14.1 grams compared to dietary guideline recommendations. Among individuals aged 50 and above, 4 to 7 out of every 10 people do not meet protein intake standards. The white paper also highlights that the public's long-term neglect of the importance of muscles is a key cognitive misconception exacerbating musculoskeletal decline in this demographic. Muscles and bones are highly interdependent; muscle loss directly reduces mechanical stimulation to bones, accelerating bone loss and creating a vicious cycle of "muscle decline, worsening mobility, falls and fractures, and further disability." Furthermore, muscles are closely linked to aging, endocrine regulation, energy metabolism, and blood sugar control. Severe muscle loss poses a significant threat to the mobility health and quality of life of middle-aged and elderly adults.
Key Guidance from the White Paper: Building a Coordinated Plan Centered on High-Quality Protein Based on the large-sample data and scientific论证, the white paper clearly outlines the core intervention direction for improving musculoskeletal health and mobility in the elderly: on the foundation of ensuring energy supply, increase the intake of high-quality protein, optimize mineral structure, and delay the functional decline of the musculoskeletal system through scientifically combined intervention methods. Simultaneously, appropriate and regular resistance training and weight-bearing exercises can effectively stimulate protein synthesis for muscle building.
Specific nutritional recommendations are as follows: First, ensure adequate total intake and prioritize protein sources with a reasonable amino acid profile and high digestibility and absorption rates, recommending high-quality proteins represented by milk protein. For instance, whey protein is rapidly digested and absorbed, stimulating muscle protein synthesis; casein is a slow-digesting protein that delays gastric emptying and digestion, helping to inhibit muscle protein breakdown. Second, for the elderly population, prioritize small-molecule proteins and peptides that are easier to absorb and more gastrointestinal-friendly. Additionally, emphasis should be placed on balanced and synergistic nutrition. It is recommended to choose well-formulated solutions that cover key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, vitamin C, n-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and prebiotics, achieving multi-support with a single supplement to meet the needs of muscles, bones, self-protection capacity, and gut health. The white paper recommends milk protein as an important source of high-quality protein.
Translating Medical-Research Collaboration into Practice, Empowering Elderly Mobility In the era of aging populations, musculoskeletal health and mobility are not only matters of public welfare but also crucial components of the Healthy China strategy. The release of this white paper provides new data for large-sample musculoskeletal nutrition research in China and offers a scientific reference for families, communities, and medical institutions. More importantly, building on the research conclusions and the achievements of medical-research collaboration, Feihe Aiben has translated clinically proven nutritional intervention pathways into daily nutritional solutions more suitable for the elderly population. The recently launched Feihe Aiben Small-Molecule Milk Protein Premium Special Formula Powder provides a more professional choice for a greater number of elderly individuals, focusing on supplementing high-quality protein, maintaining muscle strength, and enhancing mobility.
Centered on small-molecule milk protein, consuming two servings daily supplements 20 grams of high-quality protein, promoting muscle synthesis and inhibiting muscle breakdown. It is combined with 100% high-content milk calcium, vitamin D, and Type II collagen cartilage powder to achieve three-dimensional care for "strengthening muscles, strengthening bones, and protecting joints," helping the elderly move with more strength. The formula also incorporates a patented self-protection nutrient complex (osteopontin + yeast β-glucan), along with 60 billion patented active probiotics and a quadruple prebiotic blend, to support the body's defense system.
A representative from Feihe Aiben stated that as a brand under Feihe dedicated to milk protein functional nutrition, Feihe Aiben consistently adheres to the scientific philosophy of medical-research co-creation and uses nutrition to safeguard the health of the elderly. In collaboration with Capital Medical University, they have established a Life Nutrition Research Center, conducting scientific validation and clinical translation according to pharmaceutical-grade standards. The goal is to transform authoritative data and clinical evidence into truly safe, effective, and reliable functional nutrition. In the future, Feihe Aiben will continue to base its development on medical-research collaboration as a differentiated path, persistently deepening research, development, and innovation in milk protein functional nutrition to help more elderly individuals maintain strong mobility and healthy vitality.
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