What is decreased muscle mass?
Decreased muscle mass, known medically as sarcopenia, is a common condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle tissue, muscle strength, and function. It can start as early as age 30 and progresses with aging.
Some key points about decreased muscle mass:
- Causes include aging, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and diseases or injuries
- Can lead to loss of strength, mobility issues, increased risk of falls and fractures
- Associated with higher mortality rates in older adults
- Difficult to regain muscle mass once lost
- Affects 30% of people over age 60
How can you prevent and treat loss of muscle mass?
Luckily there are steps you can take to prevent and treat age-related muscle loss:
- Resistance training: Lifting weights triggers muscle growth. Aim for 2 days a week.
- Adequate protein: Shoot for 25-30g of protein per meal to provide muscles the nutrients they need.
- Vitamin D: Crucial for calcium absorption and muscle function. Supplement if deficient.
- Hormone optimization: Boosting low testosterone and HGH can help regain muscle mass. Hormone Harmony Clinic() specializes in customized, cutting-edge hormone treatments to address deficiencies.
Early intervention is key
The sooner you take action to improve muscle health, the better! Starting a resistance training regimen, improving diet, and optimizing hormones in your 30s, 40s and 50s can help stave off more rapid declines later in life. Don't wait until you've already lost muscle mass - take a proactive approach.
I hope these tips on what causes decreased muscle mass and how to counteract age-related muscle loss are helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.