Sarcopenia Doesn’t Take a Summer Break

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Sarcopenia Doesn’t Take a Summer Break

Sarcopenia—progressive and involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength—is now recognized as a significant public health concern, contributing to frailty, falls, metabolic dysregulation, and increased healthcare utilization in older adults. It is estimated that up to 50% of individuals over age 60 experience some degree of sarcopenia (Janssen et al., 2002).

MEND™ Regenerate, developed by Nutrition For Healing, was named Anti-Aging Product of the Year by SupplySide for its innovative and science-backed approach to addressing age-related muscle loss. At the heart of its formulation is a powerful combination of clinically validated ingredients including myHMB (a patented form of β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate) and leucine, a key branched-chain amino acid that plays a central role in muscle metabolism.

Sarcopenia and the GLP-1 Paradigm Shift

Sarcopenia—progressive and involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength—is now recognized as a significant public health concern, contributing to frailty, falls, metabolic dysregulation, and increased healthcare utilization in older adults. It is estimated that up to 50% of individuals over age 60 experience some degree of sarcopenia (Janssen et al., 2002).

Simultaneously, the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) has surged. While these drugs are highly effective for weight loss and glycemic control, data shows that up to 30–40% of the weight lost with GLP-1s may be lean mass, including muscle (Heymsfield & Wadden, 2017; Wharton et al., 2023). This makes muscle-preserving interventions critically important in this growing population.

myHMB®: A Patented Solution for Muscle Preservation

MEND™ Regenerate includes myHMB®, the most clinically researched and bioavailable form of HMB. Numerous studies have validated its role in:

  • Reducing muscle protein breakdown (Nissen et al., 1996)
  • Increasing lean body mass in aging adults, even without resistance training (Baier et al., 2009)
  • Improving strength and functionality in clinical populations (Bear et al., 2020)

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, older adults who received HMB with vitamin D saw significant improvements in muscle strength and physical function without structured exercise (Hsieh et al., 2020; J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci).

Leucine: The Master Switch for Muscle Protein Synthesis

A standout feature of MEND™ Regenerate is its inclusion of leucine, a branched-chain amino acid that acts as a metabolic trigger for muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Leucine directly activates mTORC1, the key intracellular signaling complex that governs anabolic processes in muscle tissue.

Key findings on leucine:

  • Leucine alone can stimulate MPS, particularly in older adults, even in the absence of other amino acids (Katsanos et al., 2006).
  • It is more effective at stimulating MPS than other BCAAs, making it essential for countering anabolic resistance associated with aging (Wolfe, 2017).
  • Clinical trials show that 2–3g of leucine per meal helps maintain muscle mass in aging adults when dietary protein is suboptimal (Churchward-Venne et al., 2014).

The synergistic use of leucine and myHMB® in MEND™ Regenerate provides both the trigger and the support system needed to stimulate muscle growth and prevent muscle degradation, making it uniquely suited for use in GLP-1 patients and older adults alike.

A Comprehensive Muscle Health Formula

In addition to myHMB® and leucine, MEND™ Regenerate features:

  • Glutamine, supporting nitrogen balance and gut integrity.
  • Vitamin D and Calcium, essential for muscle and bone synergy.
  • CoQ10 and Turmeric, providing anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial support.

Together, these ingredients create a powerful matrix for promoting lean muscle mass, metabolic health, and recovery.

Why It Matters for GLP-1 Users

As more individuals adopt GLP-1 medications for weight loss or diabetes, the risk of inadvertent muscle loss becomes an urgent clinical challenge. MEND™ Regenerate offers a proactive and evidence-based solution—supporting lean tissue preservation during weight reduction, enhancing function, and maintaining metabolic rate.

Incorporating it into a broader nutrition strategy can help patients avoid sarcopenic obesity and maximize the long-term health benefits of GLP-1 use.

Conclusion

Named Anti-Aging Product of the Year by SupplySide, MEND™ Regenerate exemplifies the next generation of clinical nutrition: targeted, evidence-based, and built for emerging needs. With the inclusion of myHMB® and leucine, it addresses one of the most underappreciated risks in aging and weight loss—muscle deterioration—and offers a scientifically grounded path to strength, vitality, and resilience.

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This article was written by Eziah Syed, Co-Founder, Chief of Growth & Innovation at Mend.

References:

  1. Baier, S. et al. (2009). J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 94(8), 2867–2872.
  2. Bear, D.E. et al. (2020). Crit Care, 24(1): 372.
  3. Churchward-Venne, T.A. et al. (2014). Nutr Metab (Lond), 11(1): 47.
  4. Hsieh, L.C. et al. (2020). J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 75(1), 122–130.
  5. Janssen, I. et al. (2002). J Am Geriatr Soc, 50(5), 889–896.
  6. Katsanos, C.S. et al. (2006). Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 291(2), E381–E387.
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  8. Heymsfield, S.B., & Wadden, T.A. (2017). Obesity (Silver Spring) 25(S1), S47–S55.
  9. Wharton, S. et al. (2023). Diabetes Obes Metab, 25(3), 749–757.
  10. Wolfe, R.R. (2017). J Nutr, 147(7), 1096S–1101S.