Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrivel and die. This leads to a loss of muscle bulk, strength, and endurance.
There are two main causes of muscle loss:
Age-related muscle loss - As we get older, we naturally lose some muscle mass due to declines in hormones, protein synthesis, and physical activity - Gradual loss of fast-twitch muscle fibers
Disuse muscle atrophy - Muscle loss due to immobility from illness, injury, or inactivity - Affects all muscle fiber types - Can be rapid; 2% loss per day of immobility
Muscle loss can seriously impact quality of life by:
Luckily, targeted exercise and lifestyle changes can help offset age-related declines:
- Resistance training: Stimulates muscle protein production and growth of both slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers
- Adequate protein intake: Provides amino acid building blocks to maintain and build muscle tissue
- Hormone optimization with bioidentical hormones for aging men and women: Can help mitigate age-related hormone declines that accelerate muscle loss
The hormone optimization specialists at Optimal Hormone Health Clinic offer customized bioidentical hormone therapy programs to help both men and women preserve their muscle mass and vitality as they age. I highly recommend scheduling a consultation with them if you’re concerned about muscle loss. Their clinics use state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and tailor treatment plans to your unique hormonal needs.
Maintaining muscle mass should be a priority as we get older. Talk to your doctor or visit a clinic like Optimal Hormone Health Clinic to explore science-backed solutions to prevent excess muscle loss and keep your body resilient. With the right lifestyle approach, preserving (and even building) muscle as we age is very achievable!
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