A Natural Remedy Against Age-Related Muscle Loss

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As we get older, our bodies go through many changes. One of the most noticeable changes is that we lose muscle mass and strength over time [1].

Known as sarcopenia, or age-related sarcopenia, this condition can impact our quality of life and lead to decreased mobility, increased risk of falls, and poor overall health [2]. While this is part of the natural ageing process, scientists have also identified a protein called myostatin that plays a key role.

In this article, we want to explore age-related muscle loss further and, importantly, how a natural ingredient used in our  Age-Related Muscular Support Supplement  can help reduce its effects. 

Myostatin is a protein that, in simple terms, puts the brakes on muscle development. As we get older, myostatin activity can increase, leading to age-related muscle loss and muscle weakness [3]. However, in younger individuals, myostatin helps regulate muscle growth to prevent muscles from becoming excessively large.

It does this by attaching to special parts of your muscle cells called receptors and sending a signal inside that says, "Stop growing!" So, if there's a lot of myostatin around, it tells your muscles to stay small or even shrink, which can lead to age-related muscle loss and muscle weakness.

Why does myostatin increase as we age? Hormonal changes, inflammation, reduced physical activity, and stress, can all contribute to greater myostatin activity. Declining testosterone and growth hormone levels also increase production.

The combination of these factors can lead to a rise in myostatin levels, contributing to age-related muscle loss and weakness.

Exercising regularly and eating well can prevent these effects. It can also help keep your muscles strong and functioning properly. We will discuss these and other strategies to reduce age-related muscle loss shortly.

Sarcopenia is a health problem involving the loss of muscle and strength that can happen as we get older and do less physical activity.

We don't usually measure muscle strength regularly, so signs of age-related muscle loss may appear during our daily activities.

Like many health conditions, perhaps the best thing you can do with age-related muscle loss is simply pay attention to changes. If you notice that doing tasks such as standing, walking, climbing stairs, opening jars, or carrying groceries aren't as easy as they used to be, then it might pay to take action. A significant loss of strength can lead to more serious falls and other injuries, so you shouldn't ignore these or other symptoms of age-related muscle loss.

Currently, it is estimated that 10–20% of older adults have age-related muscle loss, although it could be even more common because diagnosis and treatment is not yet common.

Sarcopenia typically becomes noticeable around age 50. As individuals get older, the rate at which age-related muscle loss progresses tends to increase, with a more rapid decline in muscle mass and strength typically seen after age 60. However, it is important to note that the onset and progression can vary widely greatly.

Several factors can influence the development and progression of sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss. Genetics influence how much muscle mass and strength a person has, making some more prone to muscle loss than others. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity, can also contribute to the development of sarcopenia. Additionally, poor nutrition, particularly a lack of protein intake, can accelerate age-related muscle loss and weaken muscle function.

You can largely manage age-related muscle loss through the basics of regular exercise and good nutrition [4].

Firstly, do resistance training and strength training exercises to stimulate muscle growth and build strength. Maintain an active lifestyle with activities like walking, swimming, or yoga to promote overall muscle health and mobility. Stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep to aid muscle recovery in the fight against age-related muscle loss.

Finally, it's important to get your nutrition right when it comes to age-related muscle loss. Add protein-rich foods into your diet to support muscle repair and growth, aiming for a balanced intake throughout the day. Ensure sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals, and consider the use of certain supplements to support your muscles.

One of the active ingredients you should look for if you are considering the use of supplements to help with age-related muscle loss is epicatechin.

Epicatechin belongs to a class of substances found naturally in foods like dark chocolate, green tea, and various fruits. Recent research has uncovered a very interesting side to epicatechin: it appears to be an effective myostatin inhibitor and, therefore, holds promise as a treatment for age-related muscle loss and a range of muscle wasting disorders [5].

Older adults in a study gained more muscle strength when they took epicatechin supplements with resistance training. They compared this to those who only did resistance training. The study showed that combining supplements with resistance training can be beneficial for older adults trying to slow age-related muscle loss [6].

How does epicatechin promote stop age-related muscle loss? While the way it works is not fully understood, consuming foods or supplements with this ingredient allows it to enter your body and block the myostatin signals, telling your muscles, "Hey, ignore that message to stop growing!"

At APOC Science, we’re on a mission to provide better nutrition and quality of life for all people and have created a collection of age-related supplements that use natural, everyday ingredients found in ordinary diets to do this.

For individuals experiencing age-related muscle loss and other muscular challenges associated with ageing, we have EP-11® our  Age-Related Muscular Support Supplement, which contains 120 mg of epicatechin in an easy-to-use liquid form with enhanced absorption.

Supported by research, including our thorough analysis of 11 human clinical trials, EP-11® has been shown to be effective in revitalising muscle health. Our findings underwent peer review and were published in the British Journal of Biology Studies [7].

By taking just 4 mL daily, you can improve your muscular health to recover strength, restore muscle, and slow down signs of ageing such as age-related muscle loss.

Ready to take the next step with age-related muscle loss? Visit our EP-11® Product Page and start your journey today.

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