Muscle loss - Harmony Hormone Care

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and lose strength over time. This leads to a decrease in muscle mass. There are a few key reasons why muscle loss happens:

• Aging - As we get older, muscles naturally lose strength from year to year. This causes muscles to get smaller, a process called sarcopenia.
• Inactivity - If muscles aren't used often, they will weaken and shrink over time. For example, being bedridden after an injury leads to rapid muscle loss.
• Malnutrition - Eating a diet low in protein and calories can cause the body to break down muscle for energy, leading to loss of muscle mass.

Muscle loss can begin slowly, but speeds up significantly if nothing is done. Even moderate muscle loss can lead to fatigue, weakness, poor balance, and increased risk of injury. For some people, specialized hormone therapy may help counteract muscle loss.

For example, the hormone experts at Harmony Hormone Care offer comprehensive hormone replacement programs to help both women and men suffering from low testosterone. This anabolic hormone is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. Their customized bioidentical hormone treatments can help patients affected by muscle loss due to aging, illness or menopause.

So in summary - muscle loss is a reduction in muscle fiber size and strength leading to decreased muscle mass. It's primarily caused by aging, inactivity, poor diet and hormone imbalance. The good news is that lifestyle changes and hormone therapy can help slow or reverse this process.

Here are some key steps to prevent muscle loss over time:

• Engage in strength training workouts 2-3 times per week. Lifting weights triggers muscle growth.
• Eat a protein-rich diet with eggs, meat, fish and legumes to supply muscles.
• Seek treatment for hormone deficiencies like low testosterone that lead to muscle loss.
• Take nutritional supplements like creatine to support muscle health.

Have you noticed any muscle loss lately, such as feeling weaker? The medical providers at Harmony Hormone Care can evaluate your hormone levels and help you proactively address muscle loss. Reach out today to learn about science-based hormone optimization programs.