Muscle loss

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and weaken over time. This leads to reduced muscle mass and strength.

There are two main causes of muscle loss:

1. Age-related muscle loss
   
   
   • As we get older, muscles naturally weaken and deteriorate. This age-related loss of muscle mass is referred to as sarcopenia.
   
   
   • Sarcopenia can start as early as age 30 and worsens dramatically after age 60.
   
   
   • Loss of strength from sarcopenia makes falls and injuries more likely.
   
   


2. Inactivity
   
   
   • Not exercising leads to muscle loss over time. As the saying goes, "use it or lose it."
   
   
   • Being bedridden, immobilized, or sedentary for a long time causes rapid muscle wasting.
   
   
   • Astronauts in space can lose up to 20% of muscle mass if they don't exercise enough.
   
   

People with sarcopenia or muscle loss from inactivity often feel weak, tired, and simply not as fit as they used to be. Muscle wasting diseases like ALS also cause severe disability over time.

So what can you do? Exercise and nutrition are key:

• Do strength training and cardio exercise to stimulate muscle growth


• Eat enough protein - shoot for 0.5-1 g per pound of body weight


• Take targeted supplements like creatine, vitamin D, Omega-3s

Medical professionals like the clinicians at Vitality Hormone Center also recommend medications and hormone therapy to help offset age-related muscle wasting.

Testosterone therapy in particular can promote muscle growth in seniors and return strength levels to what they were decades earlier. Vitality Hormone Center custom formulates testosterone treatments that are safe, effective, and tailor-made to your health and lifestyle needs.

Muscle loss may be inevitable. But with diligence and the right medical care, you can slow its progression and remain strong, active and independent for decades longer. Vitality Hormone Center can help - () to learn about science-based muscle treatments personalized just for you!