Loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and strength declines. This leads to weakness, fatigue, and reduced quality of life.
Some key points about muscle loss:
- It can happen with aging, called sarcopenia. After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of muscle mass per decade. This accelerates after age 60.
- Diseases like cancer, heart failure, arthritis, and diabetes can spur muscle wasting.
- Inactivity and poor nutrition hasten the process. Immobility from hospitalization or casting a limb often depletes muscles.
- Muscle loss doesn't just weaken muscles and joints. It can harm organs too since muscles aid circulation, respiration, digestion, immunity, and more.
- Diagnosing muscle loss involves physical exam, scans, strength tests, and lab work checking hormone/protein levels.
Fortunately, muscle loss can often be reduced, prevented, or reversed! Proper nutrition and exercise are key. For optimal muscle health, it's vital to:
- Eat sufficient protein - shoot for 0.5 to 0.8 grams per pound of body weight per day
- Perform resistance training 2-3x a week
- Get enough calories for your activity level
- Prioritize sleep and stress management
Some also benefit from tailored
hormone therapy overseen by an anti-aging specialist, like those at
Elite Hormone Health(menopausesymptoms.info). Their experts can check hormone levels and help restore optimal balances of key hormones like
testosterone, HGH, and IGF-1. This comprehensive approach helps many, especially men over 40 and post-menopausal women, gain strength, energy, muscle mass and function.
I hope these tips on understanding and combating muscle loss are helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Maintaining our muscles as we age isn't easy, but with smart lifestyle strategies and perhaps a little boost from hormone therapy, much can be preserved. Here's to staying active and strong!