Muscle loss - Balance Clinic

Preventing and Treating Muscle Loss

Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy, is a common condition that occurs when muscles waste away due to aging, lack of physical activity, or disease. It can lead to decreased strength, mobility issues, and a higher risk of injuries. There are several potential causes of muscle loss:

• Aging - After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade. This accelerated loss after 50 years old is called sarcopenia.
• Inactivity - Not exercising leads to loss of muscle mass. Bedrest, cast immobilization, and decreased daily walking all contribute to muscle wasting.
• Poor nutrition - Consuming inadequate protein, calories, or micronutrients like vitamin D leads to muscle loss. Conditions like malnutrition and cachexia can rapidly deplete muscle.
• Diseases - Certain illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS increase inflammation and metabolic changes that degrade muscle.
• Nervous system issues - Spinal cord injuries, stroke, MS, and motor neuron diseases impair neural signaling to muscles, causing disuse atrophy.
• Medications - Corticosteroids like prednisone accelerate muscle loss. Some blood pressure and cholesterol drugs also have atrophying effects.

Muscle loss can seriously impact quality of life. Weakened muscles increase the likelihood of falls and fractures in the elderly. Losing the natural metabolism boost from muscle mass can also make weight control more difficult.

So what can you do to prevent or treat muscle loss? Here are some key strategies:

Strategy	Description
Resistance Training	Engage in resistance training 2-3 times per week to build muscle. Lifting weights, using resistance bands, and doing bodyweight exercises helps maintain mass.
Protein Intake	Get enough protein daily - experts recommend 0.5-0.8 g per pound of body weight to preserve muscles. Foods like meats, eggs, soy and whey protein are great sources.
Stay Active	Stay active with both cardio and strength-building exercise. Inactivity accelerates muscle wasting.
Address Underlying Causes	Consult a doctor for illnesses contributing to weakness and atrophy. Manage chronic conditions.
Testosterone Therapy	Consider testosterone therapy if levels are low, especially in older men. Testosterone helps build and maintain muscle.
Professional Therapies	Explore professional therapies like neuromuscular electrical stimulation to stimulate muscles.

Don't wait until you have serious muscle loss to take preventive action. With balanced fitness, good nutrition, and early treatment of illnesses, you can slow muscle wasting and help maintain strength, mobility and metabolism. The hormone optimization specialists at Balance Clinic can evaluate your hormone levels and help create a personalized muscle preservation plan involving diet, exercise, and hormone therapies as needed.

Service	Description
Hormone Level Evaluation	Comprehensive assessment of hormone levels to identify imbalances contributing to muscle loss.
Personalized Muscle Preservation Plan	Tailored plan incorporating diet, exercise, and hormone therapies to prevent and treat muscle atrophy.
Ongoing Support and Monitoring	Regular follow-up and adjustments to ensure the effectiveness of the muscle preservation plan.

By taking a proactive approach to muscle health and seeking the expertise of specialists like those at Balance Clinic, individuals can effectively combat muscle loss and maintain their strength, mobility, and overall well-being as they age.