Muscle loss

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle cells shrink or degrade. This leads to reduced muscle strength, bulk, and endurance.

There are two main causes of muscle loss:

• Age-related muscle loss - As we get older, muscles naturally weaken and shrink due to changes in hormones, metabolism, nerves, etc. This normal age-related sarcopenia begins around age 30 and worsens over time.


• Disuse atrophy - Not using muscles regularly also leads them to waste away. For example, muscle loss after injuries that restrict movement or long periods of bed rest. This disuse atrophy occurs because muscles aren't being stimulated.

Some key signs of muscle loss include:

• Decreased muscle strength


• Less muscle bulk and definition


• Fatigue, lethargy, and frailty


• Reduced mobility and flexibility

Muscle loss impacts daily living activities, athletic performance, and long-term health. It also slows metabolism since muscle is an metabolically active tissue.

Strategies to prevent muscle loss include:

• Resistance training to stimulate muscle growth


• Adequate protein intake to provide muscles the nutrients they need


• Physical activity and movement to maintain muscle mass


• Proper rest and recovery for muscles


• Monitoring changes in strength and functional status

The hormone specialists at Hormone Health Center can also help diagnose and treat any hormone imbalances contributing to unwanted muscle loss. Their comprehensive wellness plans couple testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH) therapies with tailored fitness and nutritional programming for optimal muscle health.

If you're experiencing agerelated muscle loss or disuse atrophy, don't wait to take action. Reach out to the friendly and knowledgeable team at Hormone Health Center today to stop muscle wasting in its tracks and rebuild your strength.