Sarcopenia Is Not Irreversible And Can Be Effectively Managed

Obesity, which itself is a cause of diminished quality of life in the old age, results in further disability when coupled with sarcopenia in the elderly. This also contributes to the increased rate of hospitalization and mortality in older people.

With a long way to go in assessing the cause of sarcopenic obesity and the methods to recognize it, the best proposed way to control this condition is to intervene in the early stages of aging. The elderly should be encouraged to consume a protein rich diet. High protein dietis found to increase satiety and insulin sensitivity. Thus they help to maintain lean body mass. Various studies propose that creatine supplementation in older adults who also undergo resistance exercise training helps in improving muscle strength and lean body mass.

In addition, the beneficial effects of this vitamin on the preventing of bone disorders and fractures are well known.

Resistance training helps in sarcopenic obesity

Physical training in the form of resistance exercise is very effective in reversing sarcopenia. The term “resistance training” refers to the exercises with the use of weights that are lifted against a resisting force. This force causes muscles to contract better and thus increases their strength and mass. Resistance training is a cornerstone of general athletic and sport training but is rarely recommended to elderly people due to increased risk of injuries. With careful control, however, resistance training works very well in this age group.

Although changes in diet, supplementation and resistance training may not completely reverse the process, they do help in improving the muscle strength and allow people to stay fit and healthy for a longer period.

The increased fat mass in obese people can easily mask the loss of muscles. When profound muscle loss occurs in an obese person, it presents itself in the form of added functional disability. Unless the coexistence of sarcopenia is recognized and addressed, the disability cannot be managed. Any attempt to lose excess weight without compensating for the protein requirement will only worsen the problem.

See Also: Obesity: The disease of modern age

It is worthwhile to rely on good physical activity and a healthy diet to prevent the risk of both these conditions early in life to avoid serious problems in the old age.