What is decreased muscle mass?
Muscle mass naturally decreases as we age in a process called sarcopenia. However, other factors like illness or inactivity can accelerate loss of muscle. When our bodies lose significant lean muscle mass, it leads to several concerning health effects.
Some key things to know:
- Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that starts in our 30s. On average, we lose about 3-5% per decade after 30.
- Illnesses like cancer or kidney disease can dramatically reduce muscle through inflammation and poor nutrient absorption
- Disuse atrophy causes muscle loss when you are immobilized or inactive for long periods
- Low testosterone levels in both men and women contribute to decreased protein synthesis
Effects of low muscle mass:
- Reduced strength and functional mobility
- Higher risk of falls and fractures
- Impaired ability to manage blood sugar
- Increased body fat and higher BMI
- Reduced calorie-burn and slower metabolism
If you're experiencing troubling muscle loss symptoms, the medical professionals at Vitality Hormone Center can help diagnose potential causes and create a customized treatment plan involving nutrition, supplements, and perhaps bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
What helps maintain and build muscle?
While some loss is inevitable with age, much can be done to reduce or reverse muscle loss:
- Resistance training: Lifting weights is extremely effective for building muscle at any age
- Getting enough protein: Shoot for 0.5-0.7g per pound of body weight per day
- Taking key supplements like creatine and vitamin D
- Optimizing hormones levels with replacement therapy as needed
- Doing multi-joint and compound lifts with free weights instead of solely using machines
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of what causes our muscles to decrease in size and strength over time. Let the friendly medical team at Vitality Hormone Center create a personalized plan to help you maintain your fit, vibrant, and independent lifestyle!