By Jane Sandwood

Nutrition is one of the most important factors towards our health that we influence every day. From an evolutionary point of view, our diets helped us evolve to become one of the main dominant species on the planet. As a result, when our bodies are weak or sick, it is important we take extra care to give them what they need. This is especially the case as we get older and need better nutrition to maintain our bodies.

Sarcopenia – am I at risk?

Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, is a condition that people with a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are at risk from. Diets low in proteins and/or calories can put people at a higher risk of developing sarcopenia, especially if the individual is already suffering from a serious injury. This diet could in turn lead to other serious and long lasting conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension. As a result, it may become increasingly difficult for people to manage exercise they once found relatively simple. With so many fad diets, it can be difficult to know what exactly a balanced diet is, but simple adjustments like consuming a highly bioavailable source of amino acids and proteins in the form of a shake, can be extremely beneficial.

How do I know if I’m affected?

The only way to be positive about whether you suffer from sarcopenia is if you see your family doctor – they should be able to conduct a quick and painless test to determine whether or not you are at risk of muscle degeneration. Some indicators may be subtle at first, such as simply becoming tired when carrying out activities you used to be able to do with ease, or needing more help to do tasks that you used to be able to manage by yourself. This is to be expected to a degree as we age, but these problems would consistently get more and more difficult if you were suffering from sarcopenia.

What can I do?

While this condition might seem scary, it is likely that just a few alterations to your lifestyle could help to regain some muscle mass without the need for invasive medicines. Increasing your daily protein intake is vital whilst suffering from such a condition. Some people might find this challenging, especially if age has reduced their mobility, so taking supplements is a good option to help give you a boost. Altogether, helping to combat sarcopenia is not as difficult as it may seem to be.