HOW SARCOPENIA AFFECTS YOU
As we age, our bodies (and the amount of hormones they produce) begin to change. In some cases these changes can be quite drastic. Sarcopenia is the medical term for the loss of both muscle mass and muscle function. Although this process seems certain, sarcopenia is not inevitable. With little changes to your lifestyle, you can improve and maintain your quality of life well into your senior years.
What is Sarcopenia?
Sarcopenia is an age related, involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Studies have found that muscle mass and strength can begin to drop as early as 40, with half of muscle mass being lost by age 80. This can have severe effects in older adults, because the loss of strength and function can in turn contribute to a number of negative health outcomes, including loss of function, disability, and frailty. Sarcopenia is also linked to acute and chronic disease, increased insulin resistance, tiredness, and falls.
What Causes Sarcopenia?
There are multiple factors that cause sarcopenia. One of the main causes is environment factors. As we age, our activity levels tend to decrease. This, combined with poor nutrition, is a main factor in causing sarcopenia. Declines in hormones that are important in muscle mass maintenance, including DHEA, testosterone, and estrogen all contribute to sarcopenia. Fixing hormone imbalance is also one of the best methods to treat sarcopenia. Another cause is the slowing of bone regrowth, which can also affect activity levels and environmental factors.
How Can I Prevent Sarcopenia?
Preventing sarcopenia is possible through a few different lifestyle changes and treatments. A good diet mainly containing fruits and vegetables, lean protein, nuts and healthy fats can help. High intensity cardio and resistance training can also provide benefits. However, one of the most important aspects of any workout routine is choosing a routine that fits your lifestyle and pre-existing fitness level. You could risk injuring yourself or making existing injuries worse by pushing yourself too hard. If you do not already have a regular exercise routine, start slowly. This may be with 30 minutes of brisk walking daily. As you get stronger, you can increase your intensity and try other kinds of activities.
Another way to prevent sarcopenia is through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Restoring your hormones to their original levels can increase metabolism and improve cholesterol, energy levels, and quality of sleep. At [BHRT Canada], our experienced specialists will analyze your current hormone levels and work with you to develop a treatment plan personalized to you. Proper hormone levels, combined with diet and exercise, is the path to enjoying life well into your later years. For more information, check out our website or contact us if you have any questions.
