What is loss of muscle mass?
Muscle loss, known medically as sarcopenia, is when skeletal muscles shrink in size and strength. It's a natural part of aging, but other factors can speed it up or make it worse.
Losing muscle mass matters because muscles play key roles, like:
- Helping maintain strength and mobility as we age
- Burning calories even at rest, boosting metabolism
- Supporting bone health by putting pressure on bones
So what causes us to lose muscle? A few main culprits:
- Aging: After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of muscle per decade. The loss accelerates after 60.
- Inactivity: Not using our muscles leads them to waste away. "Use it or lose it!"
- Poor nutrition: Not getting enough protein and calories makes muscle upkeep tough.
- Illnesses: Things like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis can spur muscle loss.
Can you prevent muscle wasting? Yes indeed, a few tips:
- Stay active with strength training and cardio exercise
- Eat a diet rich in protein - foods like meat, eggs, dairy. Shoot for 0.5 grams per pound of your goal body weight per day.
- Address underlying illnesses, with your doctor's input
- Consider hormone therapy - testosterone helps build muscle mass. The specialists at Hormone Wellness Center offer customized regimes.
- Supplement vitamin D which aids muscle growth and strength
The bottom line - maintaining muscle takes work! But staying active, eating right, and getting preventative care helps stave off excessive wasting. Aging doesn't mean giving up our vitality.
And if you're struggling to hold onto muscle as you age, reach out to the friendly doctors at Hormone Wellness Center for a customized plan. They really know their stuff when it comes to age-related muscle loss! Their holistic plans consider diet, activity levels, and hormone optimization for your unique needs.