Abstract
Background:
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, is a significant concern in geriatric medicine. Avicenna, a prominent figure in Persian medicine, emphasized healthy living and provided detailed instructions for the elderly.Objectives:
This review aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of Avicenna's recommendations in preserving and improving motor control in the elderly population.Methods:
A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases using relevant keywords to identify studies discussing Avicenna's recommendations for individuals over 65 years old. Avicenna suggested maintaining instinctive heat and essential body moisture through a balanced diet, including fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. He also emphasized the importance of physical activity, moderate massage, and herbal remedies.Results:
Comparing Avicenna's recommendations with current research on age-related sarcopenia reveals significant overlap. Studies support Avicenna's emphasis on milk and meat consumption for muscle health. Avicenna's recommendations for physical activity align with current exercise guidelines for older adults.Conclusions:
Incorporating Avicenna's recommendations into geriatric medicine may lead to improved outcomes for elderly individuals at risk of sarcopenia and motor control issues. Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying Avicenna's recommendations and their impact on sarcopenia prevention and management, as well as motor control improvement.Keywords
1. Context
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, poses significant challenges in geriatric medicine (1). A healthy lifestyle, including exercise and proper nutrition, is crucial for preventing and managing this condition (2). Avicenna, a prominent figure in Persian medicine, emphasized healthy living and provided detailed instructions for the elderly (3). As we delve into Avicenna's teachings, we aim to explore his recommendations which would be attributed to motor control in the context of preventing age-related sarcopenia. By examining Avicenna's insights through the lens of modern research, this review aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of his recommendations in preserving and improving motor control in the elderly population. By bridging the wisdom of Persian medicine with contemporary knowledge, we can potentially uncover valuable strategies to enhance motor control and mitigate the impact of age-related sarcopenia on the elderly. This review aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of Avicenna's recommendations in preserving and improving motor control in the elderly population.
2. Methods
A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and academic journals, using relevant keywords such as “Avicenna," “Persian medicine," “Canon of Medicine," “aging," “instinctive heat," and “essential body moisture." The search aimed to identify studies and articles that discussed Avicenna's recommendations for individuals over 65 years old and their relationship to the decline in instinctive heat and essential body moisture associated with aging. Studies and articles that focused on Avicenna's recommendations for individuals over 65 years old and their connection to the decline in instinctive heat and essential body moisture were included. Only articles published in English were considered. Studies that did not meet the specific research objectives or lacked relevance were excluded.
3. Avicenna's Recommendations
Avicenna suggested specific instructions to maintain instinctive heat and essential body moisture (4). Avicenna emphasized the importance of a balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. He recommended consuming foods rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support muscle health and overall well-being Avicenna recognized the significance of protein for maintaining muscle mass and strength (5). He advised consuming sufficient amounts of high-quality protein sources such as lean meats, legumes, and dairy products to support muscle growth and repair. Physical activity recommendations varied based on an individual's physical condition, ranging from walking and horseback riding to lifting and throwing stones (6). Avicenna also advocated for moderate massage using moisturizing and strengthening oils, such as violet oil and rose oil, especially before exercise. Avicenna utilized various herbal remedies to support physical health which would possibly enhance motor control. He recommended the use of specific herbs and plants, such as ginger, turmeric, and garlic, known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, to reduce muscle inflammation and promote optimal muscle function. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of sufficient sleep, proper bathing, and reducing mental stress, particularly feelings of sadness which all are effective in optimal motor control in elderly population (2, 7).
4. Comparison with Current Research
Comparing Avicenna's recommendations with recent research on age-related sarcopenia reveals significant overlap. Studies highlight the importance of milk and meat in the elderly diet, aligning with Avicenna's suggestions. For example, a study by Smith et al. found that dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, which can be obtained from fish and meat, increased the rate of muscle protein synthesis in older adults (8). Similarly, a meta-analysis by O'Connor et al. concluded that total red meat intake does not negatively influence cardiovascular disease risk factors in the elderly (9). These findings support Avicenna's emphasis on the consumption of milk and meat for maintaining muscle mass and function. Avicenna's recommendation of goat or donkey milk is also supported by recent research. Goat milk has been shown to have higher levels of certain nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, compared to cow milk (10). Avicenna's emphasis on physical activity aligns with current recommendations for preventing sarcopenia. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends a combination of resistance training and aerobic exercise for older adults to maintain muscle mass and function (11). Avicenna's recommendations for physical activity, such as walking and lifting stones, can be considered as forms of resistance training and weight-bearing exercises.
5. Conclusions
Avicenna's views on lifestyle recommendations for the elderly provide valuable insights into preventing age-related sarcopenia and improving motor control. His emphasis on proper nutrition, physical activity, massage, and stress reduction aligns with current research in the field. Incorporating Avicenna's recommendations into geriatric medicine may lead to improved outcomes for elderly individuals at risk of sarcopenia and motor control issues. Further intervention research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying Avicenna's recommendations and their potential impact on sarcopenia prevention and management, as well as motor control improvement. By combining Avicenna's wisdom from Persian Medicine with modern scientific knowledge, healthcare professionals can provide more comprehensive and effective strategies for preventing and managing age-related sarcopenia and improving motor control in the elderly. While these studies do not directly cite Avicenna's teachings, they highlight the importance of exercise and lifestyle modifications in improving motor control and reducing the risk of falls in the elderly, which align with Avicenna's recommendations.
Acknowledgements
References
-
1.
Margutti KMDM, Schuch NJ, Schwanke CHA. Inflammatory markers, sarcopenia and its diagnostic criteria among the elderly: a systematic review. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2017;20(3):441-53. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562017020.160155.
-
2.
Siahpoosh MB, Gholibeygi S. Exercise in Winter: A Hypothesis from Persian Medicine to Improve Healthy Lifestyle. Int J Sport Stud Health. 2023;6(1). https://doi.org/10.5812/intjssh-137792.
-
3.
Çetkin M, Bahşi İ, Orhan M. The Massage Approach of Avicenna in the Canon of Medicine. Acta Med Hist Adriat. 2019;17(1):103-14. [PubMed ID: 31315411]. https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.17.1.6.
-
4.
Siahpoosh MB. Six Essential Principles of Iranian Traditional Medicine for Maintaining Health from the Quran’s Point Of View. Quran Med. 2012;1(4):101-7. https://doi.org/10.5812/quranmed.8476.
-
5.
Moradi H, Minaii B, Nikbakht Nasrabadi A, Siahpoosh MB. Avicenna Viewpoint about Health Preservation through Healthy Nutrition Principles. Iran J Public Health. 2013;42(2):220-1. [PubMed ID: 23513187]. [PubMed Central ID: PMCPmc3595654].
-
6.
Ercani S, Örsçelik A. Avicenna's Perspective of Exercise: Content Analysis of the “Canon of Medicine”. Lokman Hekim J. 2022;12(3):483-92.
-
7.
Siahpoosh M, Ebadiani M, Shah Hosseini G, Isfahani M, Nasrabadi AN, Dadgostar H. Avicenna the first to describe diseases which may be prevented by exercise. Iran J Public Health. 2012;41(11):98-101. [PubMed ID: 23304683]. [PubMed Central ID: PMCPmc3521893].
-
8.
Smith GI, Atherton P, Reeds DN, Mohammed BS, Rankin D, Rennie MJ, et al. Dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;93(2):402-12. [PubMed ID: 21159787]. [PubMed Central ID: PMCPmc3021432]. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.110.005611.
-
9.
O'Connor LE, Kim JE, Campbell WW. Total red meat intake of ≥0.5 servings/d does not negatively influence cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systemically searched meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(1):57-69. [PubMed ID: 27881394]. [PubMed Central ID: PMCPmc5183733]. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.116.142521.
-
10.
Zenebe T, Ahmed N, Kabeta T, Kebede G. Review on medicinal and nutritional values of goat milk. Acad J Nutr. 2014;3(3):30-9. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.ajn.2014.3.3.93210.
-
11.
Nelson ME, Rejeski W, Blair SN, Duncan PW, Judge JO, King AC, et al. Physical Activity and Public Health in Older Adults. Med Sci Sports Exer. 2007;39(8):1435-45. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3180616aa2.