According to UPI, compounds which occur naturally in green tomatoes and apples could be helpful in slowing the muscle loss associated with aging. ATF 4, a protein which has been associated with the depletion in muscle protein synthesis, mass and strength, can be decreased by Tomatidine and ursolic acid, report scientists at the University of Iowa.

Tomatidine and Ursolic acid help skeletal muscles to recover from the effects of aging by reducing the activity of ATF 4 protein, says Christopher Adams, who is also a senior study author and professor of internal medicine. The Ursolic acid can be found in apple skins, and green tomatoes provide a great deal of Tomatidine.

The study found that these compounds could reduce weakness and muscle atrophy, and in fact, increase the muscle mass by at least 10% and the quality of the muscles itself by 30% over a period of two months.

Lab mice were placed on a diet that contained either 0.5% Tomatidine or 0.2% ursolic. The results indicate that Tomatidine and ursolic acid have plenty of potential as tools to treat atrophy and muscle weakness during old age, said Adams.

Problems with muscles and their strength can significantly impact quality of life. Previous studies indicated that these compounds could help reduce serious muscle wasting which result from sedentary lifestyle and malnutrition, while the new study suggests that they can help reduce weakness and atrophy due to advancing age.