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One of the greatest health threats faced by aging adults who do not do enough muscle building and maintaining activity is the steady loss of lean body mass (muscle) needed to maintain a healthy, functional lifestyle. The medical term for this condition is sarcopenia and is now only getting the recognition and respect it deserves by the medical and scientific community. When the human body is allowed to grow weak it loses muscle tissue along with all over body strength followed by decreased physical function. Previously focus has been placed on the loss of bone mass (osteoporosis) and little attention has been paid to the loss of muscle tissue that occurs when we fail to get enough proper exercise. Yet the loss of muscle tissue parallels the loss of bone. Muscles are attached to bones and it is the pulling of the muscle contracting when they are being worked that places stress on the bones keeping them strong. It seems strange that all of the focus has been placed on bone strength when the loss of muscle tissue can affect a person's ability to be functional in their everyday tasks and activities even more so than a loss of bone mass. Up to 50 percent of muscle mass can be lost between the ages of 25 and 80. Around one half pound of this precious tissue is lost each year up to age 50 then the rate doubles. Even by age 30 a decrease in thigh width is apparent when strength building and maintaining exercise is not being done. That is of course unless you take steps to keep yourself strong. As your muscular system can make up to 50 percent of your body weight a decrease means less body heat can be generated and fat burning potential is reduced. Fatigue and energy problems, a weakened immune system and a susceptibility to injury are all consequences of lost muscle tissue. Scientific research is just starting to uncover the undeniable link between lost muscle tissue and strength and the immune system that lead to the onset of chronic 'lifestyle diseases' such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. As with all disease conditions, it is easier, less expensive, and more effective to prevent or slow the progression of sarcopenia than it is to treat it later in life. People of any age can prevent the wasting of functional lean muscle tissue and even gain some of what has been lost back again. The remedy is called strength training and is the only way to restore your strength. Low-intensity recreation activity like walking or other endurance type of activities cannot restore and keep muscle tissue strong. But proper exercise is not magic. It's work, the work our bodies are designed to do and must have to stay healthy. Almost everything we do on a daily basis requires our muscle strength, even just to stand upright and move so the health of the muscles is of vital importance. Your strength training exercise program will give you a greater quality of life, less weakness, more strength and protect your from disease. All you have to do is do it 2-3 times a week and put a bit of effort into it. If there is an anti aging pill your strength training program is it. Here is the good news and the bad news. The bad news is, millions of people around the world will suffer from muscle weakness and a mostly avoidable loss of physical function.
But the good news is you do not have to be one of those people. It is never too late to start your sarcopenia fighting program and reap the benefits.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "Ive Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Ways To Look Younger For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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