The amount and strength of the muscle mass in your body are extremely important to lead a healthy and long lifespan. As we age, our muscle mass and strength decrease, and this decrease starts in our early 40s. Especially as we enter our 60s, the loss of muscle mass and the resulting decrease in muscle strength occur significantly.
The decrease of skeletal muscle tissue is one of the most important causes of functional decline and loss of independence in older individuals. The decrease in muscle mass not only indicates a shorter lifespan but also increases the susceptibility to injuries. For example, we know that individuals with weak knee muscles are more likely to have knee problems. Moreover, the decrease in muscle mass is associated with a higher incidence of non-traumatic and one of the most common health problems in the world, cartilage diseases.
In addition, I observe that my patients with lower muscle mass recover more slowly after surgery. The decrease in muscle mass is not only caused by aging. Hormonal changes, chronic inflammation, sedentary lifestyle, chronic diseases, and poor nutrition also cause a decrease in muscle mass. In these days when we are forced to stay at home due to the pandemic, we are experiencing a lot of muscle loss due to inactivity.
Our muscle tissue constitutes more than 50% of our body mass. Our muscles are very important metabolically. The decrease of an active tissue metabolically has significant consequences for adults. Muscles help us control our blood sugar levels, use sugar as fuel, and prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
