Sarcopenia: The Hidden Cause of Muscle Loss After 50 — And How to Fight It

Home💪 Sarcopenia: The Hidden Cause of Muscle Loss After 50 — And How to Fight It
💪 Sarcopenia: The Hidden Cause of Muscle Loss After 50 — And How to Fight It

Sarcopenia (from Greek: sarx = flesh, penia = loss) is the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength.

Begins as early as your 30s, but accelerates after 50–60
On average, adults lose 3–8% of muscle mass per decade after 30
Without intervention, this leads to:
Weakness
Fatigue
Poor balance
Increased fall risk
Loss of independence
🔬 Recognized as a medical condition (ICD-10 code M62.84), not just “getting older.”

🔍 What Causes Sarcopenia?
It’s not just time — it’s a mix of lifestyle, biology, and habits.

1. Inactivity (The #1 Cause)
Muscles follow the “use it or lose it” rule
Sedentary lifestyles speed up muscle loss
Even active people can be at risk if they don’t do strength training
2. Hormonal Changes
Decline in testosterone, estrogen, and growth hormone reduces muscle repair
Especially noticeable during menopause and andropause
3. Poor Nutrition
Not eating enough protein — essential for muscle maintenance
Low intake of vitamin D, calcium, and antioxidants
“Anorexia of aging” — reduced appetite in older adults
4. Chronic Inflammation
Long-term low-grade inflammation (from obesity, diabetes, or disease) speeds muscle breakdown
5. Neuromuscular Decline
Nerves that signal muscles weaken with age
Fewer motor units = less muscle activation
🚩 Early Signs of Sarcopenia
You might not notice it at first — but your body sends signals.