Posted on 05/17/2023 8:29:15 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
It mainly affects people who are obese: due to a lack of exercise, this population group can suffer from gradual muscle atrophy, which remains hidden under the fat layer and thus undetected.
Young people can suffer from muscle loss if they are obese, explained Bischoff. "As obesity increases, first the muscle mass increases to compensate for weight gain. After that, muscle mass often reaches a tipping point where it starts to decline again due to lack of exercise."
The dangerous thing about it: in severely to morbidly obese people, the layer of body fat hides the dangerous loss of muscle.
Warned Bischoff. "Patients with muscle atrophy are significantly more susceptible to disease. Life expectancy also decreases."
This connection was also illustrated during the COVID pandemic. "Because muscle atrophy in obese people also affects the respiratory muscles, they had much more severe courses of illness due to decreased respiratory capacity," said Bischoff.
To diagnose what they call "sarcopenic obesity," the proportions of fat and muscle mass in the body are determined and muscle function is measured.
"We speak of sarcopenic obesity when both the proportion of muscle mass is too low and muscle function is already impaired," said Bischoff.
"We have to pay even more attention to keeping the muscle mass untouched or rebuilt as much as possible during weight loss. The most promising way to achieve this seems to be a combination of strength training and a high-protein diet."
Bischoff said he has recommended the high-protein diet for decades and uses it in his own practice: "Until now, we've recommended the high-protein diet primarily because it satisfies hunger quickly, thereby increasing weight loss success."
There would likely be a need for adjustments in exercise therapy: "More important than endurance training seems to be lifting weights—the way bodybuilders and weightlifters do."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Include weight training and protein, the latter of which makes you feel full with fewer calories, but also directly helps build the very muscles you need back.
That’s what I’m doing! :-)
I’ve lifted heavy free weights 4 days a week for half my life. I highly recommend it.
I don’t think fat is half as bad as all the sugars and carbs they put in all the processed foods though. The sugars and carbs will get turned into fat easily, but fat itself is harder to digest and a lot of it will just go out the “exit door” instead of getting absorbed, if your body doesn’t need it. I think if you cut out all the processed foods that are loaded up with extra sugars and carbs, and start eating meals you cook yourself, you can probably have all the fat you want without worrying too much.
Now that's something I had never thought of -- weak respiratory muscles leads to more severe illness due to decreased respiratory capacity. Makes sense.
I recall being in the hospital getting chemo for aml. I was already thin, so As I was losing weight I started to see there was some benefit in having a reserve. I looked at The ‘chunky’ nurses that took care of me in a different light.
In this type of situation, what would be the best source of protein?
chicken as a meat. then whey protein isolate as a protein powder supplement. stay away from soy protein for men.
Makes me feel good I was forced by my trainer to do bottom up back squats from a box yesterday.
I can barely get off the pot.
Dairy and eggs. Whey.
In short, the protein powder that comes in big bags or tubs.
Mix with superfood (veggie powder), a banana, some Metamucil, about 50 grams of protein and blend. Water and maybe ice.
Same. I look 1/2 my age.
I do walk and do sprint work, also.
Light yoga, with push-ups and pull ups and sit ups every morning, less Shabbos.
I was wondering about the protein powder. Dairy (lactose free) and eggs I can do.
Got it.Thanks for the info.
It is only recently known that we can’t properly make conditional amino acids, as we age, and we stop churning out as many enzymes and stomach acid, too. There may be some benefit to assuring any complete protein can be properly broken down, which might include the use of digestive enzymes with meals. Also, supplementing with amino acids could be helpful.
Enzymes typically break down proteins to amino acids. Ingesting amino acids gives you those same outcomes, but at a higher cost, financially and with time. If interested, look for Branch-Chained Amino Acids in a supplement powder, typically found in a whey-based one.
These would be my general approach.
Eat eggs and bacon.
Older people with stomach problems (and maybe even without) probably need HCL supplements to enable the stomach to gain the value of nutrients. (Stomach acid drops as we age)
Walmart has a great inexpensive protein powder, 30g of protein per scoop, add 8oz of water. Get the chocolate, the vanilla is yuck.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve put it on the list!
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