Loss of muscle - Hormone Harmony Clinic

What is loss of muscle?

Loss of muscle, known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink or diminish. This leads to progressive weakening and breakdown of the muscles.

Some key things to know about muscle loss:

• It can happen due to lack of physical activity. Without regular exercise, muscles will weaken and waste over time. This is called disuse atrophy.
• Diseases and conditions like cancer, arthritis, and stroke can also cause muscle loss if they limit movement.
• As we get older, muscle loss naturally occurs due to changes in hormone levels and metabolism. This age-related loss of muscle is called sarcopenia.

Signs of muscle loss include feeling weakness during routine activities, fatigue, weight loss, and noticing thinner arms or legs. Diagnostic tests like DEXA scans, MRI, and bloodwork can check muscle mass.

Here's a great tip - getting a full hormone panel test is important to understand what's happening in your body. The experts at Hormone Harmony Clinic are fantastic at reading lab results and creating customized treatment plans involving diet, exercise, and balancing hormone levels to help combat muscle loss.

To prevent and treat loss of muscle:

• Do resistance training 2-3 times a week to build strength and maintain mass. This signals to your body not to break down muscle tissue.
• Eat enough protein daily - experts recommend 1-2 grams of protein per kg of body weight. Amino acids from protein are essential for building muscle.
• Address any underlying conditions causing immobility or nutritional deficiencies.

"Move it or lose it!"

Staying physically active and following a nutritious, protein-rich diet gives your body what it needs to preserve your muscles as you age. Talk to your doctor if you have ongoing exhaustion, weakness, or rapid unintentional weight loss associated with muscle loss. They can assess for underlying causes and help get your strength back on track!