The process of aging impacts everyone over time. A part of that is people becoming physically weaker and losing muscle.Sister station KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert Dr. Abinash Achrekar spoke on the aging process. He said age-related muscle loss starts much earlier than people may think.”The process, called sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, can begin as early as age 35,” Achrekar said. “People can lose 1-2% of their muscle mass, with it turning into fat instead.”As aging continues, this muscle-loss percentage increases, especially for those who do not do strength-based training.”After age 60, that can jump to 3% a year,” Achrekar said. “That doesn’t sound like much, but average adults who don’t do regular strength training can lose 4 to 6 pounds of muscle per decade.”Given those factors, how does this impact people’s health? Achrekar first explains how it can impact the immune system.”Muscles play a role in your recovery from illness and injury,” Achrekar said. “Disability is four times higher in older people with moderate to severe sarcopenia than in those with normal muscle mass.”Those conditions can cause people to have a more difficult time with day-to-day activities.”Weakened muscles can impact your ability to get out and do the things that need done,” Achrekar said. “Everyday actives like walking, cleaning, climbing stairs and shopping can be impacted as we age. Even balance while standing still can be a challenge without strong muscles.” Achrekar also shared with viewers that one in three adults aged 65 and over fall each year. This causes over 800,000 hospitalizations annually.”They can lead to early admittance to long-term care centers and even death,” Achrekar said.Now that we know the cause and effect of sarcopenia, how can we prevent it going forward?”First, increase physical activity. Your doctor may suggest resistance-based strength training or exercise with bands,” Achrekar said. “These are great for people of all fitness levels to build muscle.”Also, your doctor may want you to focus on your diet,” Achrekar said. “Increasing your protein intake may also help slow the progression of the disease.”
The process of aging impacts everyone over time. A part of that is people becoming physically weaker and losing muscle.
Sister station KOAT and University of New Mexico health expert Dr. Abinash Achrekar spoke on the aging process. He said age-related muscle loss starts much earlier than people may think.
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“The process, called sarcopenia, or age-related muscle loss, can begin as early as age 35,” Achrekar said. “People can lose 1-2% of their muscle mass, with it turning into fat instead.”
As aging continues, this muscle-loss percentage increases, especially for those who do not do strength-based training.
“After age 60, that can jump to 3% a year,” Achrekar said. “That doesn’t sound like much, but average adults who don’t do regular strength training can lose 4 to 6 pounds of muscle per decade.”
Given those factors, how does this impact people’s health? Achrekar first explains how it can impact the immune system.
“Muscles play a role in your recovery from illness and injury,” Achrekar said. “Disability is four times higher in older people with moderate to severe sarcopenia than in those with normal muscle mass.”
Those conditions can cause people to have a more difficult time with day-to-day activities.
“Weakened muscles can impact your ability to get out and do the things that need done,” Achrekar said. “Everyday actives like walking, cleaning, climbing stairs and shopping can be impacted as we age. Even balance while standing still can be a challenge without strong muscles.”
Achrekar also shared with viewers that one in three adults aged 65 and over fall each year. This causes over 800,000 hospitalizations annually.
“They can lead to early admittance to long-term care centers and even death,” Achrekar said.
Now that we know the cause and effect of sarcopenia, how can we prevent it going forward?
“First, increase physical activity. Your doctor may suggest resistance-based strength training or exercise with bands,” Achrekar said. “These are great for people of all fitness levels to build muscle.
“Also, your doctor may want you to focus on your diet,” Achrekar said. “Increasing your protein intake may also help slow the progression of the disease.”
