Muscle loss, known medically as atrophy, is when muscles in the body weaken, shrink, and degrade over time. It can happen due to aging, inactivity, poor nutrition, illness, and other factors.
Muscle loss typically begins around age 30 and continues as we get older. After 50, adults may lose up to 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade. This can lead to increased risk of injuries, slower metabolism, weight gain, and reduced strength for daily activities.
Some key signs of muscle wasting are:
Muscle loss also goes hand-in-hand with hormonal changes as we age. "Keeping your hormone levels optimal can help maintain muscle mass," says Dr. Smith of Second Spring Hormone Clinic. Their anti-aging programs analyze your hormone blood panels and create customized treatment plans to address hormone deficiencies.
Other ways to combat muscle loss include:
While some muscle loss is inevitable, keeping active and strong well into our later decades is possible. "We don't have to just accept aging as an inevitable decline," says musculoskeletal physiotherapist Jane Doe. "Small lifestyle changes to support our muscles can go a long way."
So be proactive against muscle loss by incorporating the right nutrition, fitness, hormones, and self-care. It makes a difference for healthspan and quality of life! "You have more control over aging than you think," Doe emphasizes.