08/05/2025
Sarcopenia: The Silent Muscle Thief
It can start in your 30s. Here's what to know...
Sarcopenia is characterized by the loss of muscle, strength, and function that typically comes about with older adults, and it is closely correlated with physical disability, poor quality of life, and death.
Signs and symptoms include weakness, fatigue, loss of energy, balance problems, and trouble walking (like shuffling of feet) and challenged with standing up (like getting up and down from a chair).
🏋️ Sarcopenia can begin as early as our 30's and is characterized by a decline in quality and quantity of muscle, which also plays into a decline in our metabolic health and increased risk of disease - but that is for another discussion.
This progressive loss of muscle & strength lends to decreases in physical performance, energy, and impaired balance.
As this progresses, it increases ⬆️ the risk of falls, 🚑 injuries, and loss of independence - especially in older adults.
While aging and lack of exercise, like resistance training, are the primary factors, sarcopenia is also influenced by:
🍽️ Poor nutrition
💥 Chronic inflammation
🔄 Hormonal changes and decline
🏋️️ Physical inactivity (worth repeating)
Prevention and management strategies include:
✔️ Regular 🏋️️ resistance training
✔️ Adequate 🍖 protein intake
✔️ Hormone optimization (HRT)
✔️ Movement (like yoga and walking)
Don't sit and wait for this to happen and be the dominant factor in dictating your life (i.e. - doctor visits, disease, pain, etc). 😰
Start now before it's too late with protecting and investing in yourself, your wellness, and your years ahead.
If this resonates or applies, just know that change MUST start with that first step. If you're not sure HOW to start but you're READY to, there are professionals capable of coordinating an optimal game plan with you to start moving in the right direction.
Although my schedule is full and has very little room for taking on anyone new, I can connect you with another professional that does. Just let me know if so! 😀
