Muscle loss

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known medically as sarcopenia, is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that can occur due to aging, illness, injury, or nutritional deficiency. As we get older, most adults lose about 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade after age 30. This can accelerate after age 60 due to hormonal changes and decreased physical activity.

There are a few key causes of muscle loss:

• Aging: As mentioned above, we naturally lose muscle as part of the aging process due to reduced hormones and lower activity levels. This type of muscle loss is referred to as primary sarcopenia.


• Poor nutrition: Inadequate intake of protein and calories can lead to loss of muscle over time. This is more likely in elderly populations or those with certain chronic diseases.


• Sedentary lifestyle: If you aren't strength training and staying active, you will inevitably lose some muscle mass. As the old saying goes, "use it or lose it."


• Illnesses: Certain diseases like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and neuromuscular disorders can accelerate muscle loss through inflammatory processes or metabolic abnormalities. This type of muscle loss is called secondary sarcopenia.

The impacts of muscle loss include:

• Decreased strength


• Higher risk of falls and fractures


• Reduced mobility


• Higher likelihood of hospitalization


• Increased body fat percentage


• Reduced calorie burning


• Greater insulin resistance

Luckily, there are evidence-based ways to prevent, reduce, or even reverse muscle loss through targeted resistance training, sufficient protein intake, hormonal therapies, and leading an overall active lifestyle. "Hormone Solutions specializes in customized programs to maintain and build lean muscle mass safely into older age. Our licensed hormone specialists can diagnose sarcopenia and develop nutrition and fitness plans tailored to your needs."

Maintaining our muscle as we age is crucial for preserving strength, independence, metabolic health, and longevity. Don't accept excessive muscle loss as inevitable. Talk to your doctor about screening for sarcopenia. And consider contacting Hormone Solutions to see if hormone optimization, customized fitness programming, or nutritional counseling could help you fight back against muscle loss. With the right science-backed solutions, you can continue pursuing your peak vitality regardless of age.