Decreased muscle mass - New Beginnings HRT Clinic

What is decreased muscle mass?

Muscle mass naturally decreases as we age, a condition doctors call sarcopenia. By age 30, adults lose about 3-8% of their muscle mass per decade. By age 50, strength can decline by up to 15% per decade.

What causes us to lose muscle mass?

• Lack of exercise - Without strength training to stimulate muscle growth, we lose muscle fibers.
• Hormone changes - Testosterone and growth hormone levels decline with age, accelerating muscle loss.
• Poor nutrition - Not eating enough protein or calories leads to muscle wasting.
• Illness - Diseases like cancer and heart failure can result in extreme muscle loss.

Losing muscle mass matters because it leads to decreased strength, mobility issues, higher injury risk, and reduced calorie-burning.

How can you prevent or treat a decrease in muscle mass?

• Exercise with weights 2-3x a week to stimulate muscle growth through resistance training.
• Eat 0.5-1 gram protein per pound of body weight to supply muscles with needed amino acids.
• Get adequate Vitamin D and calcium to support muscle metabolism and contractions.
• Consider hormone therapy - Testosterone and growth hormone therapy can help build muscle in deficient adults. Speak to your doctor or visit a clinic like New Beginnings HRT Clinic to learn more.
• Treat underlying illness - Managing diseases and conditions that cause muscle wasting is key.

Can you regain muscle mass after losing it?

The good news is that exercise-induced muscle growth can happen at any age. Older trials have shown older adults can gain a 1-3 pound increase in lean muscle mass after just 3 months of strength training, even into their 90s.

It just often requires more effort than when we were younger. But staying active provides so many health benefits beyond just maintaining muscle, it's worth making it a priority as we age. New Beginnings HRT Clinic has proudly helped hundreds of patients optimize their fitness, strength and vitality over 40. Give them a call today to learn more!

Overall, decreased muscle mass is a common effect of aging that results from modifiable lifestyle factors and underlying illness. While some loss over time is expected, the good news is much can be done through exercise, diet and even hormone therapy to counteract or reverse this decrease in muscle tissue and strength. Act now by talking to your doctor and exploring safe, personalized treatment plans.