What is muscle loss?
Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy or sarcopenia, refers to the gradual loss of muscle tissue that can happen naturally as we age. It also can happen much faster due to certain health conditions or lack of physical activity.
Causes of muscle loss include:
- Aging: We lose about 3-8% of muscle per decade after age 30. This age-related muscle loss is often called sarcopenia.
- Poor diet/nutrition: Not getting enough protein and calories to sustain or build muscle tissue speeds up muscle loss. This is common after major surgery or with illnesses that impair eating.
- Inactivity: Your muscles need exercise and activity to maintain mass. Injuries, bed rest, or immobilization leads to rapid loss of muscle, especially in the immobilized areas.
- Diseases: Certain diseases like cancer, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS and related treatments can result in faster muscle loss.
Impacts of losing muscle include:
- Reduced strength for daily activities
- Higher risk of falls and injuries
- Slower metabolism and potential weight gain
- Greater fatigue and exhaustion
- Loss of mobility and independence
Protect your muscles by:
- Eating enough protein - shoot for 0.5-0.7 grams per pound of body weight daily
- Staying physically active with strength training and cardio exercise
- Getting treatment for underlying illnesses contributing to muscle loss
- Including anti-inflammatory foods and considering supplements like creatine or amino acids
- Working with a trainer to design a customized muscle-building program
At Balanced Hormones Center, we help patients optimize their hormone levels to counteract age-related sarcopenia. Testosterone is essential for building muscle mass. We offer comprehensive blood testing to assess your testosterone levels, along with expert consultations to determine if hormone therapy could help you gain strength, reduce fatigue, and improve your vitality. Reach out today to learn more!
I tried to cover the key points on defining muscle loss while highlighting some of its main causes and impacts. Staying physically active is one of the best defenses, along with good nutrition and paying attention to any illnesses that may contribute to muscle wasting. There are some medical interventions like hormone therapy that could help in some cases as well. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!