Muscle loss, also called muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink or degrade as a result of aging, illness, or lack of physical activity. Key factors that contribute to muscle loss include:
- Aging: People naturally lose muscle mass and strength after age 30. This steady decline accelerates after age 60.
- Inactivity: Muscles require regular exercise and activity to maintain mass and strength. Prolonged periods of inactivity lead to loss of both muscle fibers and motor neurons.
- Poor nutrition: Consuming adequate protein from whole food sources supports muscle health. Low protein intake causes muscles to atrophy.
- Disease: Certain medications and chronic conditions like cancer, kidney disease, diabetes and heart disease increase inflammation and hinder muscle regrowth. This accelerates muscle loss.
The impacts of untreated muscle loss range from reduced strength and mobility to increased risk of falls or injuries. Maintaining muscle health relies on a combination of regular exercise targeting major muscle groups, adequate daily protein intake, and proper disease management under a doctor's care.
While some muscle loss is inevitable with aging, staying active provides huge benefits by preserving strength, function and metabolic health. Simple lifestyle measures can slow the rate of muscle loss substantially. Consult a fitness or health professional to develop an exercise and diet plan tailored to your needs and abilities.
I aimed to provide an informative overview of the key factors that influence muscle loss, in easy to understand language. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!