Age-related muscle loss: what it is, why it happens and what you can do to combat it
- We lose up to 8 per cent of our muscle mass each decade, starting from the age of 40, and this can double at 70 years old, leading to a loss of strength and function
- Loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) can be diagnosed with simple tests, and there are ways to slow down or prevent the decline
Most of us start to lose muscle mass from as early as our 40s.
As we get older the problem (known as sarcopenia) can progressively worsen, affecting our strength, energy and mobility, as well as increasing our risk of falls, illness and poor health.
Dr Vincent Lau Chun Fai, chief doctor at Matilda Clinic in Central, says the condition is caused by multiple factors.
It’s commonly observed in people who are physically inactive, although other contributing factors might include inadequate nutrition, lowered sex hormone levels, a reduced ability to synthesise protein, and mitochondrial dysfunction, an often inherited disorder that refers to the inability of the mitochondria (the energy-producing component of cells) to completely burn food and oxygen to generate energy.
According to Dr Low Yen Ling, director of research and development at Abbott Nutrition Asia Pacific Centre in Singapore, adults, on average, lose 8 per cent of their muscle mass every decade starting at age 40.
After 70 years old, that rate may double, although if you are ill, injured or aren’t getting adequate nutrition, it may accelerate even more.
