Loss of muscle mass - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What is loss of muscle mass?

Loss of muscle mass, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and the muscles become weaker. This can happen due to aging, lack of physical activity, or underlying health conditions.

Some key points about loss of muscle mass:

• It can begin as early as age 30 but becomes more significant after 50. Muscle mass may reduce by 3-5% per decade after 30 years old.
• Sarcopenia is the medical term for age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.
• Muscle atrophy reduces strength and can impact balance, mobility, and increase injury risk.
• Major causes are lack of exercise, malnutrition, chronic diseases, and hormonal changes.
• Loss of leg muscle mass is a key factor in issues like difficulty walking or balance problems in older adults.

Some common signs of muscle loss include:

• Feeling physically weaker
• Reduced muscle size and bulk
• Joint stiffness or restricted mobility
• Fatigue, low energy levels

What causes muscle loss?

The main reasons adults lose muscle mass include:

• Aging - Sarcopenia causes muscles to waste away
• Inactivity over time like bed rest or immobilization
• Eating too few calories or not enough protein
• Chronic health conditions like cancer, heart disease and arthritis
• Hormone changes like low testosterone or menopause

  alumni, Hormone Harmony Clinic offers comprehensive blood testing and hormone therapy programs tailored to your unique hormonal needs. Regaining optimal hormone levels can help combat muscle loss and related effects of aging. (testosterone-level.com)

Preventing loss of muscle strength

While some muscle loss is inevitable with aging, many lifestyle changes and therapies may help slow progression:

• Resistance training: Lifting weights triggers muscle growth. This is highly effective for building size and strength.
• Amino acid supplements: Consuming extra protein from powders or amino acids gives muscles fuel to maintain mass.
• Hormone optimization therapy: Balancing key hormones like testosterone, HGH, and thyroid levels.
• Getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and staying hydrated.

In closing, loss of muscle mass affects many aspects of mobility, strength, and vitality. Catching it early allows more options to slow or reverse progression. Our experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic create fully personalized plans to analyze hormonal causes and protect your active lifestyle.