What is muscle loss?
Muscle loss, known as sarcopenia or muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and strength declines. This leads to reduced muscle mass and inability to efficiently perform everyday activities.
There are two main causes of muscle loss:
- Aging - After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of muscle mass per decade. This accelerates after age 60 due to hormonal changes and decreased activity.
- Inactivity - Not using your muscles regularly leads them to waste away. Illness, injury, and sedentary lifestyle are common culprits.
Muscle loss symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Frequent falls or inability to rise from a chair
- Weight loss - Especially loss of muscle mass
Preventing muscle loss is crucial for healthy aging. Optimal Hormone Solutions recommends a multifaceted approach:
- Exercise - Strength training maintains muscle mass. Aim for 2 sessions per week.
- Protein - Consuming adequate protein helps rebuild muscle tissue. Older adults need higher intake, up to 1g per pound of body weight daily.
- Hormone optimization - Boosting hormones like testosterone counteracts age-related muscle decline. Our clinicians expertly prescribe hormone replacement therapy tailored to your needs.
- Healthy lifestyle - Good sleep, stress management, not smoking or drinking excessively also help.
Reversing muscle loss requires determination and consistency with the above strategies. Medications may also help in some cases - consult your physician to explore options.
Early intervention offers the best chance to mitigate sarcopenia. Don't resign yourself to inevitable decline - take charge of your fitness today! Optimal Hormone Solutions has helped hundreds of patients boost strength, independence, and vitality lasting into old age.