Loss of muscle mass - Rejuvenate Clinic

Loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, is a common condition that affects many people as they age. It occurs when the body breaks down more muscle than it builds, leading to an overall loss of lean muscle tissue. This can happen for various reasons:

Cause	Description
Lack of physical activity	Without regular exercise, muscle mass naturally decreases over time. Sedentary lifestyles are a major cause of muscle loss in adults.
Poor nutrition	Eating a diet low in protein and calories can accelerate muscle loss. Getting adequate protein and calories helps maintain muscle.
Hormonal changes	Lower levels of hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1 are linked to reduced muscle mass. This is common as we age.
Illness or injury	Diseases like cancer or injuries that require bed rest can lead to rapid loss of muscle. The affected muscles may shrink due to disuse.
Nerve damage	Conditions like paralysis, muscular dystrophy, and ALS cause nerves to lose connection with muscles, leading to wasting.

Muscle atrophy can negatively impact strength, mobility, balance, and overall health. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or reverse this common problem:

Prevention Method	Description
Regular strength training	Doing strength training using weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises builds muscle through a process called muscle protein synthesis.
High-protein diet	Eating a diet with healthy fats, carbs, and adequate protein provides the amino acids needed for muscle growth. Foods like eggs, meat, fish, and dairy are great protein sources.
Address underlying health issues	Addressing underlying health issues, hormone deficiencies, illnesses, or mobility limitations that can accelerate muscle loss. Seeking medical advice if needed.
Safe supplements	Considering safe supplements like creatine, HMB, or amino acids to support muscle retention, especially in older adults. However, nutrition should be optimized first.
Active lifestyle	Maintaining an active lifestyle with regular walking, household chores, and other daily movement. Sedentary behavior promotes muscle breakdown.

The experts at Rejuvenate Clinic can evaluate your hormone levels and create customized treatment plans involving bioidentical hormone therapy, nutrition plans, and fitness guidance to help you improve muscle mass, strength, and vitality. With proper lifestyle habits and medical care if needed, you can counteract muscle loss and stay strong as you age. In conclusion, muscle atrophy is a common issue that can be caused by various factors such as lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, illness or injury, and nerve damage. However, by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular strength training, a high-protein diet, addressing underlying health issues, considering safe supplements, and maintaining an active lifestyle, you can prevent or reverse muscle loss and maintain your strength and vitality as you age. If you need assistance, consider seeking the help of a specialized clinic like Rejuvenate Clinic to optimize your hormones and overall health.