Aging is Inevitable But Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia Aren’t

Muscle loss and sarcopenia have been synonymous with aging in previous generations. Muscle loss impacts osteoporosis, balance, stability, independence, and hormone balance. 

In this episode we’ll talk about the 3 M’s and how to bank muscle looking forward to a time off your fee as well as how to get it back if you have muscle loss and sarcopenia.

My Guest:

Dr. Chris Meletis is an internationally recognized educator, author, lecturer, and functional medicine practitioner with more than 33 years of clinical experience. He has authored 18 books and over 200 scientific articles, contributing extensively to the fields of naturopathic and integrative medicine. 

Formerly the Dean of Naturopathic Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, he was honored as Physician of the Year by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Passionate about accessible healthcare, he helped establish 16 free natural medicine clinics and continues to focus on the GI microbiome, mitochondrial health, nutritional biochemistry, and botanical medicine.

Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia Impact Energy Balance and Longevity

Questions We Answer in This Episode:

• [00:05:49] What trends have you seen in aging, and why does muscle become such a critical issue for women in midlife and beyond?
• [00:10:54] Are physicians beginning to use muscle-related assessments as vital signs, and should strength be monitored more routinely as we age?
• [00:12:15] What does grip strength actually measure, and why is it such a powerful indicator of overall strength and future health?
• [00:12:28] What happens when you need a bunion surgery, joint replacement, or another procedure that temporarily limits activity? Will you lose muscle, and how can you prepare for it?
• [00:16:45] If you’re told to lose weight before a knee or hip replacement, how do you protect muscle mass while improving your health outcomes?
• [00:18:56] Are we eating enough protein, and is our digestion allowing us to actually absorb and utilize it as we age?
• [00:30:43] How can muscle-support strategies help during periods of bed rest, illness, pain, long COVID, or other situations that increase the risk of sarcopenia?
• [00:50:21] What should active women do when they’re already exercising but still struggle with maintaining muscle, energy, or lean body mass?

Aging, Strength, and Why Muscle Matters More Than Ever

• “If you don’t use it, you lose it” is more than just a cliché.
• There is a connection between grip strength, biological age, mortality, and overall health.
• Muscle health is one of the strongest indicators of future independence.
• Muscle strength contributes to balance, fall prevention, and mobility.

Grip Strength as a Vital Sign of Vitality

• Should be measured more routinely in healthcare.
• Reflects total-body strength and function.
• Monitoring strength can motivate healthy behavior changes.
  
  

Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia Accelerate Faster After Midlife Than Expected

Banking Muscle Before Injury, Surgery, or Inactivity

• There is muscle loss during periods of inactivity and recovery.
• Women approaching surgery should prioritize building muscle beforehand.
• Immobilization leads to disuse syndrome and rapid declines in muscle.
• Walking, strength training, creatine, amino acids, and muscle-supportive nutrition.
• Preserving lean body mass becomes increasingly important with age.

Muscle Loss and Sarcopenia After Midlife

• Declining functionality between ages 40 and 60.
• Daily activities become harder when muscle mass declines.
• Sarcopenia can impact quality of life long before old age.
• Be proactive rather than waiting for retirement to prioritize health.

Lifestyle Habits That Support Healthy Aging

• Important lifestyle habits: sleep, digestion, protein intake, and nutrient absorption.
• Gut health influences muscle-building capacity.
• Digestion changes with age may affect nutrient utilization.

Fortetropin and Muscle Preservation

• Fortetropin preserves naturally occurring proteins and peptides associated with muscle health.
• Research shows there is an 18% increase in muscle protein synthesis in older adults using Fortetropin.
• Protein intake and resistance training remain foundational, Fortetropin is presented as an additional strategy to support muscle protein synthesis

The Connection Between Muscle and Bone Health

• Maintaining strength helps support healthy bones.
• Preventing sarcopenia today protects future mobility and quality of life.

Connect with Dr. Chris:

• Website – Dr. Chris Meletis
• LinkedIn – Dr. Chris Meletis