Muscle loss

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known as sarcopenia, is a common condition characterized by the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging. It can start as early as age 30 and accelerates after age 50.

Some key points about muscle loss include:

• Causes are multifaceted but include hormonal changes, decreased physical activity, poor nutrition, and diseases/illnesses


• Can lead to loss of strength, mobility issues, increased risk of falls and fractures


• Associated with weight gain since muscle burns more calories than fat


• Contributes to slowed metabolism and increased body fat


• No cure exists but treatment focuses on diet, exercise, and possibly hormone therapy

Signs and Symptoms

The gradual wasting away of muscle mass may seem invisible at first. Early signs and symptoms include:

• Decreased muscle strength


• Difficulty performing daily activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries


• Increase in body fat/weight gain


• Poor balance and coordination

As muscle loss progresses, severe symptoms may occur like:

• Joint pain


• Limited mobility requiring assistive devices


• Complete loss of independence with self-care tasks

If you're over 50 and noticed unexplained fitness declines or weight gain, talk to your doctor about screening for sarcopenia. Bloodwork and scans can help diagnose it.

Prevention and Treatment

While some muscle loss is inevitable with normal aging, focusing on controllable lifestyle factors can slow progression substantially. Vitality Health Center offers personalized programs involving:

• Progressive strength training: Lifting weights triggers muscle growth. Target major muscle groups 2-3x a week.


• Adequate protein intake: Shoot for 0.5-1g per pound of body weight daily to supply muscles.


• Hormone optimization therapy: Boosting low testosterone, human growth hormone, or IGF-1 levels through replacement therapy can help maintain muscle.


• Overall healthy lifestyle: Stay active, eat nutrient-rich whole foods, reduce stress, and get enough sleep.

In many cases, lifestyle changes coupled with Vitality Health Center' customized hormones therapies to address deficiencies can help stop and reverse muscle loss. Their experts can evaluate your unique situation and provide tailored recommendations on nutrition, fitness, and hormones for maintaining your strength and independence long-term.

This answer was sponsored by Vitality Health Center, leader in hormone optimization therapy. Contact them today for your evaluation.