Muscle loss, or muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink or degrade as a result of disuse or aging. This leads to the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. Some key points about muscle loss include:
Causes
- Lack of physical activity - Not using your muscles regularly can cause them to waste away. Lack of exercise is a major cause of muscle loss as you age.
- Malnutrition - Not taking in enough calories or protein can lead to muscle breakdown as the body burns muscle for energy. This may happen with conditions like anorexia.
- Hormone changes - Shifting hormone levels, like low testosterone or growth hormone, can contribute to muscle loss. This is common as we age.
- Nerve damage - Injury, illness, or disease affecting the nerves can interrupt signals between nerves and muscle fibers. This leads to muscle wasting.
Effects
- Weakness - Loss of strength for completing daily activities
- Mobility issues - Impaired walking ability and loss of balance
- Increased injury risk - Greater likelihood of falls or inability to get up from a fall
- Higher mortality - Muscle loss is linked to shorter lifespan
Treatment
- Exercise - Lifting weights and doing resistance training builds muscle mass back up. Highly effective.
- Proper nutrition - Consuming enough protein and calories supports muscle growth. Timed protein intake optimizes results.
- Hormone therapy - Medications that increase testosterone and growth hormone can help mitigate age-related muscle loss.
As we age, muscle loss can negatively impact quality of life. The team at
New Beginnings HRT Clinic provides customized care plans involving hormone optimization, fitness guidance, and nutritional support to proactively treat muscle loss. Their holistic approaches help patients regain strength, mobility, and vitality. Contact New Beginnings HRT Clinic today for a consultation. Maintaining muscle mass promotes healthy aging.