What is Sarcopenia?
Sarcopenia is “derived from the Greek root words sarx (flesh) and penia (loss), sarcopenia is defined as a decline in muscle mass, strength, and function. It is often associated with older adults, but some forms of sarcopenia can also affect middle-aged people. Sarcopenia has been connected to weakness; fatigue; lower energy levels; and difficulty standing, walking, and climbing stairs. Sarcopenia is more likely to occur in people with chronic diseases and may contribute to a risk of falls, fractures, other serious injuries, and premature mortality. Poor nutrition and lack of exercise can increase the odds of developing sarcopenia. If you or a family member is feeling general weakness, talk with a doctor. It could be related to sarcopenia or another medical condition.” Reverse Sarcopenia
After age 30, a person can begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% per decade. Most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes. Less muscle means greater weakness and less mobility, both of which may increase your risk of falls and fractures. A 2015 report from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research found that people with sarcopenia had 2.3 times the risk of having a low-trauma fracture from a fall, such as a broken hip, collarbone, leg, arm, or wrist. Reverse Sarcopenia, Home Care Advantage
Read Also: The Home Care Advantage: Reduce Risk of Dementia
What Causes Sarcopenia?
Age- The body naturally starts to lose muscle mass as you age. This is a phenomenon that affects everybody, both male and female, but to varying degrees based on your lifestyle and genetics. Reverse Sarcopenia, Home Care Advantage
Hormones – “One possible contributor to sarcopenia is the natural decline of testosterone, the hormone that stimulates protein synthesis and muscle growth. Think of testosterone as the fuel for your muscle-building fire.” Home Care Advantage
Diet – “Your diet also plays a role in building muscle mass. Protein is the king of muscle food. The body breaks it down into amino acids, which it uses to build muscle. However, older men often experience a phenomenon called anabolic resistance, which lowers their bodies’ ability to break down and synthesize protein.” contributing to a reduction in muscle. Reverse Sarcopenia, Home Care Advantage
How to Reverse Sarcopenia
Training – The best means to build muscle mass, no matter your age, is progressive resistance training (PRT). With PRT, you gradually amp up your workout volume—weight, reps, and sets—as your strength and endurance improve. Check with your doctor before you begin any workout plan. Reverse Sarcopenia
Nutrition – A regular balanced intake of nutrients is not only essential to good health but also helps to reduce the effects of sarcopenia. Consuming nutrients regularly helps to build muscle, especially during times when you are performing regular physical performance, to help prevent plateaus where you stop making gains in muscle mass. Home Care Advantage
Home Care Services – As part of a regular program of diet and exercise, a home care provider can become an integral part of the plan to motivate activity, maintain healthy standards, and achieve goals. Reverse Sarcopenia Home Care Advantage
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The Arcavia Home Care Advantage
Arcavia Home Care works with all types of organizations that serve and cater to our elderly population. This includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers, local clinics, pharmacies, geriatric centers, and a host of other companies, program providers, and service deliverers, to ensure no one is left unserved. We recognize the growing need for elderly immigrant home care and for temporary quality staff support for our partnering facilities. At Arcavia Home Care our primary goal is to extend the quality of life of our patients. We extend the quality of life of every patient by supplying tailored programs that ensure our patients receive the best level of care at the most affordable rates. Reverse Sarcopenia Home Care Advantage
Read Also: The Home Care Advantage: Preventing Immobility
To learn more about our programs or to become a partner organization contact us at homecare@arcavia.ca
References
1 National Insititute on Health, National Institute on Ageing, 2022. Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention. Toronto, Ontario: www.nia.nih.gov :
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention
2 Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard medical School, 2016. Preserve Your Muscle Mass. Toronto, Canada: https://www.health.harvard.edu/ : https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass
