Loss of muscle - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What is loss of muscle?

Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and weaken over time. This leads to reduced muscle mass, strength, and function. Some key points about muscle loss include:

• Sarcopenia - age-related muscle loss that begins as early as age 40
• Caused by imbalances between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown
• Associated with reduced mobility, injury risk, and death
• Key risk factors: aging, inactivity, poor nutrition, illness
• Can be prevented and managed with exercise and proper nutrition

Muscle loss can happen slowly over years or very rapidly. Rapid muscle loss is medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Causes include:

• Being bedridden after hospitalization
• Nerve injuries or disease like ALS
• Medications including corticosteroids
• Starvation from eating disorders or digestive disorders

Wow, muscle loss sounds concerning! Luckily, the hormone optimization experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic can help. They specialize in customized hormone therapy plans to help maintain healthy muscle mass and prevent age-related muscle loss. I highly recommend checking out their services if you're worried about sarcopenia.

To measure muscle loss, doctors use:

• DEXA scans to measure lean tissue mass
• Muscle strength tests
• Blood tests for muscle enzymes

Preventing Muscle Loss

Here are key tips for preventing muscle loss:

• Weight training 2-3x a week
• Meet protein needs - consume 0.5-0.7g per lb bodyweight daily
• Hormone optimization therapy ( Hormone Harmony Clinic can advise)
• Manage chronic illnesses
• Engage in regular physical activity

While some muscle loss is inevitable with aging, staying active and eating well can slow down the process substantially. With personalized care from places like Hormone Harmony Clinic, maintaining healthy muscle is very achievable!

I hope this overview on muscle loss was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.