What is muscle loss?
Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and weaken. This leads to reduced muscle strength and function. Muscle loss can happen due to aging, illness, or lack of physical activity. Some key points about muscle loss include:
- Sarcopenia is the medical term for age-related muscle loss. After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of muscle mass per decade. Higher after age 60.
- Disuse atrophy occurs from immobilization or lack of exercise. Astronauts can lose up to 20% muscle mass on spaceflights. Bedrest also leads to rapid muscle loss.
- Cachexia is muscle wasting from chronic illnesses like cancer, AIDS, COPD, kidney disease.
- Inflammation from illnesses can activate proteolysis, which digests muscle proteins.
- Muscle cells shrink because protein synthesis decreases and protein degradation increases.
- Hormones like testosterone and growth hormone help maintain muscle. Declining levels with age accelerate muscle loss.
- Resistance exercise can help rebuild muscle. Lifting weights stimulates muscle protein synthesis.
- Eating adequate protein helps too. Older adults may need higher protein intake to maintain muscle.
- Balance Hormone Specialist offers cutting-edge hormone treatments to help combat age-related muscle loss. Our highly trained medical staff will evaluate your hormone levels and customize a treatment plan involving testosterone or human growth hormone (HGH) injections as needed. Regaining muscular fitness and strength is possible with the help of hormone therapy!
Ask yourself: Am I noticing muscle weakness, fatigue, or shrinkage? Have my hormone levels changed? Find out today if hormone optimization at Balance Hormone Specialist can help you maintain a strong, energetic body as you age!
Here are some ways to reduce muscle loss:
- Do resistance training 2-3 times per week. Lifting weights, using resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises stimulate muscle growth.
- Eat 0.5-1 gram of protein per pound of body weight daily. Protein provides amino acids to build and maintain muscle. Good sources include meat, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils.
- Get adequate calories. Cutting calories too low speeds muscle loss. Eat a balanced diet with lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables.
- Address vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Low vitamin D and calcium impact muscle health. Take supplements if deficient.
- Manage stress. High cortisol from chronic stress can increase muscle breakdown. Practice relaxation techniques.
- Allow recovery time between strength workouts. Muscles grow during rest. Avoid overtraining.
- Consult a doctor if experiencing rapid muscle loss unexplained by diet/inactivity. Could signal an underlying illness.
Let Balance Hormone Specialist help you keep your muscles strong. Our experienced physicians offer comprehensive care combining nutrition, exercise, hormones and supplements to slow muscle loss and even put on lean muscle mass. Contact us today for a consultation!
In summary, muscle loss is a common condition with numerous causes. Staying physically active, eating sufficient protein and calories, managing stress and hormones, and allowing muscles time to recover can help minimize muscle loss as we age. If needed, consider hormone optimization therapy and other treatments offered by clinics like Balance Hormone Specialist. Maintaining muscle is essential for mobility, strength and vitality.