Part 5 – Reclaiming Strength and Rebuilding Lost Muscle
In this series, discover how skeletal muscle, the body’s largest organ, impacts health and longevity. From regulating hormones and blood sugar to boosting brain health, muscles are far more than just a source of strength. By Sheramy Tsai (Epoch Health / The Epoch Times) August 14, 2024 Updated: August 14, 2024
Muscle melts away quickly as we age and sit around—and rebuilding it can be the difference between thriving and declining into illness.
Muscle atrophy, the wasting or loss of muscle tissue, can occur astonishingly quickly, posing serious challenges for individuals recovering from prolonged illness or extended periods of inactivity.
A study in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle revealed that just three days of simulated bed rest resulted in a more than 10 percent loss of muscle tissue and increased fatty infiltration of the muscle.
“Believe it or not, you can start losing significant muscle mass in just five days of inactivity,” fitness and nutrition expert JJ Virgin told The Epoch Times. She noted that athletes can see the effects of reduced activity within about three weeks if they don’t maintain their workout routines.
