Things To Know About Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia refers to the decline and loss of muscle mass as a result of the natural aging process. As the muscle mass decreases, the person’s strength also decreases, and that brings about an imbalance in gait. The condition has a significant impact on the individual’s ability to carry out everyday activities such as lifting objects, climbing stairs, or even walking. Sarcopenia being an age-related condition makes life even more difficult for senior people because they will find it hard even to walk.

Studies have shown that muscle mass begins to decline as people advance beyond the age of forty, and the loss of muscle tissue can increase more rapidly as people reach the 60s and 70s. The precise rate of decrease in muscle mass varies from individual to individual, but generally, there is a three to eight percent reduction in muscle mass every decade. Reduction in muscle mass refers to the decrease in the number and size of muscle fibers. This can be attributed to the natural changes that happen to the human body with age, such as the decrease in the body’s ability to produce proteins. Read more on StrongPath.

As protein production declines, the muscle cells also become smaller.sedentary lifestyle that includes long hours behind a desk and lack of exercise are some of the risk factors of sarcopenia. Poor nutrition is also another contributing factor to sarcopenia because it affects the rate at which muscle mass declines in older people. This can be attributed to the fact that older people tend to eat less protein than the recommended allowance, often leading to malnutrition. Some of the symptoms of sarcopenia include a decrease in muscle size, loss of endurance, weakness, poor balance, and difficulty in climbing stairs. Sarcopenia can be medically diagnosed after a series of tests. Read more now.

Treatment and prevention of sarcopenia have to do a change in lifestyle to prevent muscle loss. It would help if you ate healthy, which involves consuming enough protein and vegetables. You also need to set aside time for exercise. When you are active and using muscle for various strength exercises, you will maintain your muscle mass and strength. When muscles are not put to use, they tend to shrink. 

Resistance and strength training cannot only stop muscle loss but also improve muscle strength, size, and tone. People who exercise regularly also have stronger bones, tendons, and ligaments, which are essential for the overall health and wellbeing.

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