Sarcopenia - Loss of Muscle Mass

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As we age, maintaining and even increasing our muscle mass becomes more and more important - and challenging at the same time.

 

Sarcopenia is an aging-associated syndrome with increasing prevalence in aging societies. Loss of muscle mass and function is associated with enhanced mortality and conveys a high risk of bone fractures, disability, and hospitalization.

 

Important risk factors are genetics/epigenetics, immobilization, malnutrition and anorexia, hormone deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and raising levels of inhibitors of tissue regeneration.

 

Exercise, nutrition, supplements like Vitamin D, and polyunsaturated fats. and hormonal replacement (testosterone, thyroid, growth hormone) have been traditionally used to treat sarcopenia. More recently, novel pharmacological strategies involving anabolic (muscle-building) agents such as SARMs and Ghrelin agonists have shown promising results with a high potential for improving functional outcomes.

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If you or your loved ones suffer from a lack of appetite, loss of muscle mass, or frailty and you are wondering what the best intervention strategy may be, speak with us. Dr. Schneider has been extensively involved with sarcopenia research and may have some options that go beyond standard phrases like "eat better and exercise more".