What is Sarcopenia?
Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function.
But it’s not just getting weaker – it’s fundamental changes in muscle physiology:
- Muscle fiber shrinkage: Individual muscle fibers within your muscles become smaller and thinner.
- Fewer muscle fibers: You gradually lose muscle fibers, reducing muscle size and strength.
- Fat infiltration: Fat starts to accumulate within your muscles, impairing muscle function.
- Changes in fiber type: The ratio of fast-twitch muscle fibers (strength and power) decreases, while slow-twitch fibers (endurance) become dominant.
- Reduced mitochondria: The number of mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells) decreases, reducing energy and increasing muscle fatigue.
- Increased connective tissue: The amount of connective tissue increases, making muscles less flexible and more prone to injury.
How Much Muscle is Lost?
Starting as early as your 30s, you will lose 3-8% of your muscle mass every decade, with this rate accelerating to over 10% after age 60. By the time you reach 80, you could have lost up to half of your muscle mass!
Even more concerning, muscle strength declines even faster than mass, leaving you vulnerable to weakness, falls, and loss of independence. But don’t despair—this catastrophic loss is not inevitable. With the right knowledge and proactive steps, you can protect your muscles and maintain your vitality for years to come.
How Fast is Muscle Lost?
- 3-8% per decade after 30
- Over 10% per decade after 60
- Up to 50% loss by age 80
- Muscle strength declines 2.5x faster
You can, and must, prevent this catastrophic loss!
Safeguard Muscles to Protect Your Health
Imagine a future where you’re unable to enjoy the activities you love, where everyday tasks become a struggle, and your independence slowly slips away. Sarcopenia creeps up slowly.
It causes weakness, frailty, and falls – dramatically reducing your quality of life.
Just as hikers use a compass to navigate the terrain and reach their destination, this guide will empower you with the information and skills to navigate the aging process and maintain long-term health, strength, and vitality.
We’ll explore how these science-backed strategies help you maintain your strength, vitality, and independence, allowing you to enjoy the journey of life and reach a destination of a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling existence.
Don't Let Age Steal Your Strength
Sarcopenia increases the risk of falls and fractures. Sarcopenia costs billions of dollars annually, but the good news is that muscle loss can be prevented and even reversed with the right approach. Targeted supplements, combined with a healthy lifestyle, help maintain muscle mass and strength, allowing you individuals to live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
- Effect: Sarcopenia accelerates aging and physical decline
- Epidemic: Growing health concern impacting millions worldwide.
- Prevalence: 10% of adults over 50 and 50% over 80-years.
- Consequences: Reduces quality of life, increases risk of death.
- Burden: Medical and caregiving costs $40 billion per year.
- Hope: Targeted supplements can combat the decline.
- Approach: Proactive nutrition maintains muscle health .
The Domino Effect of Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia isn’t just about losing muscle mass; it triggers a cascade of health issues. From reduced strength and mobility to increased risks of falls, fractures, and hospitalization, the consequences can severely impact your independence and overall health. Sarcopenia can even increase your risk of infections, breathing problems, and heart issues, ultimately leading to a higher mortality risk.
- Reduction in strength and slower walking speed with gradual loss of independance.
- Double the risk of falls and increased risk of fractures with hospitalization more likely
- Increased risk of infections, breathing problems, heart health issues and higher mortality risk.
Aging doesn't have to mean weakness!
Strong muscles do more than make you physically powerful. They are the foundation for a healthy, active, and independent life. From boosting your energy levels and metabolism to supporting your immune system and mental clarity, strong muscles enhance quality of life.
Maintaining muscle mass means enjoying greater independence, physical confidence, and more active years as you age.