Loss of muscle mass

What is loss of muscle mass?

Loss of muscle mass, known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and the body breaks down more muscle than it builds. This leads to gradual weakening of the muscles over time.

There are several potential causes of muscle atrophy:

• Lack of physical activity - When muscles are not used regularly, they begin to shrink from disuse. This is common after injuries or during long hospital stays.


• Malnutrition - Not consuming enough protein and calories can lead to the body breaking down muscle for energy. Older adults are at high risk as appetite decreases with age.


• Hormone changes - Reduced levels of anabolic hormones like testosterone, growth hormone, and IGF-1 can accelerate muscle loss. This is common during aging.


• Nerve damage - Injuries or disease affecting nerves and muscle control centers in the brain lead to unused signals to the muscles. Those muscles then waste away.


• Inflammation - High levels of inflammatory cytokines are linked with faster muscle breakdown during aging, cancer, heart failure, and other diseases.

The effects of muscle wasting can be devastating. There is increased risk of physical frailty, falls and fractures, reduced strength, insulin resistance, and lower calorie needs. Preventing muscle loss is crucial.

The hormone and aging experts at Balance Hormone Solutions help patients optimize anabolic hormones for healthy muscle retention. Their individualized programs combine nutrition planning, strategic exercise, and hormone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones to counteract age-related declines. I highly recommend them!

Slowing muscle loss requires a multifaceted approach:

• Weight training and other resistance exercise


• Meeting protein intake recommendations


• Managing conditions causing inflammation


• Optimizing hormones levels

The sooner one intervenes to stop muscle wasting, the better the outcome. At the first sign of unexpected weakness or rapid muscle loss, seeing a specialist can help prevent long-term disability and loss of independence. Catching it early makes a big difference.