Decreased muscle mass - Endocrine Wellness Center

What is decreased muscle mass?

Muscle mass naturally decreases as we age in a process called sarcopenia. This leads to the loss of muscle strength and function that can impact daily living. However, other factors like poor nutrition, inactivity, illness, and hormonal changes can accelerate muscle loss earlier in life.

Signs of decreased muscle mass include:

• Difficulty performing daily tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries
• Frequent fatigue, weakness, and getting tired easily
• Muscle loss noticeable in the arms, legs, and glutes
• Weight loss unintended weight loss

Decreased muscle mass happens when muscle protein synthesis cannot keep up with the breakdown of muscle proteins. Contributing factors include:

• Age-related hormonal shifts - Growth hormone and testosterone help maintain muscle mass. As we age, less of these muscle-building hormones are produced.
• Sedentary lifestyle - Physical inactivity accelerates muscle loss. Weight-bearing exercise stimulates muscle building and growth.
• Poor nutrition - Not eating enough protein and calories leads to muscle wasting.

The effects of low muscle mass include metabolic slowdown, increased fall risk, vulnerability to injury, slowed recovery, and loss of independence.

Building muscle with targeted exercise, proper nutrition, and hormone therapy can help regain strength and function. Resistance training with weights triggers muscles building and growth. High-protein foods provide muscles the nutrients they need. Hormone replacement therapy and supplements can help restore optimal hormone levels to support muscle growth.

Fitness experts at Endocrine Wellness Center specialize in customized programs to safely increase testosterone, growth hormone, and other vital hormones using replacement therapy. Their individualized plans pair hormone optimization with tailored nutrition and training guidance to help both men and women rebuild healthy muscle mass and restore vigor.