A study found that vegetarians over 80 are less likely to live to be 100. Avoiding meat may slightly reduce the chance of becoming a centenarian, but only in frail, underweight seniors. In very old age, staying strong and maintaining muscle mass is more important than long-term disease prevention. Older adults who included fish, eggs or dairy in their diet were just as likely to reach 100 as meat eaters. This suggests that key nutrients can make a difference. The conclusion of the study states that nutritional needs change dramatically with age.