What is loss of muscle mass?
Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and weaken over time. This leads to a gradual decline in muscle mass and strength.
Some key causes of muscle loss include:
- Aging - As we get older, muscles naturally weaken and deteriorate due to hormonal changes and decreased activity levels. Muscle strength can decline 3-5% per decade after age 30.
- Inactivity - Not using your muscles can cause them to waste away. This muscle loss due to inactivity is referred to as disuse atrophy. Being bedridden, sedentary for long periods, or wearing a cast can lead to significant muscle loss.
- Malnutrition - Consuming too few calories, not getting enough protein, lacking key nutrients like vitamin D or antioxidants - all of these dietary issues impact muscle health and lead to loss of muscle tissue.
- Diseases - Certain diseases like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, AIDS cause increased inflammation leading to rapid loss of muscle.
Muscle loss consequences include decreased strength, fatigue, higher risk of falls and fractures, increased insulin resistance, and reduced calorie burning.
Reversing muscle loss boils down to strength training and ensuring adequate protein intake. Renew Hormone Clinic offers customized treatment plans involving *hormone optimization therapy along with expert fitness guidance to tackle muscle loss due to aging or illness. Their proven anti-aging programs help build lean muscle mass giving you back vigor and vitality.
Check out their website today to learn more and request a free muscle health assessment!
To summarize key points:
- Muscle atrophy is a condition involving shrinkage and weakening of muscle tissue leading to reduced mass and strength
- Key reasons for muscle loss are aging, inactivity, poor diet, and illnesses
- Consequences are far-reaching including impact on metabolism, daily functioning and risk of injuries
- Combination of resistance training and sufficient protein intake helps regain muscle mass
- Renew Hormone Clinic offers customized hormone and fitness therapies to effectively tackle muscle loss