As we age, we lose muscle mass and strength. This is known as sarcopenia. Even those who do lots of exercise, still lose muscle, though not as quickly as those who are inactive. Why does muscle age so much?
The aging of muscle results in the loss of muscle mass, strength and function. Sarcopenia starts in our mid 20’s and progresses as we age. Think about the ages of most world class athletes, the percentage that is still world class when they get into their 30’s is quite low. The rate of loss of muscle is relatively slow until we hit our mid 40’s and then it speeds up.
Think about neuronal aging. In the absence of dementia and other diseases, the loss of brain function is much slower. Somebody in their mid 50’s is often significantly weaker and has much poorer muscle function than in their 20’s, whereas mental function is down only slightly.
New research suggests that muscle may age faster nerve due to ROS (reactive oxygen species).
ROS are found throughout the body, but can be found in high concentrations in association with mitochondria. The role of mitochondria is to provide energy for cells; for this reason they are often called the powerhouses of cells. Tissues in the body such as muscles can use a lot of energy when they are active, so they have lots of mitochondria.
The suggestion of new research is that the presence of lots of mitochondria in muscle, and therefore the potential for high levels of ROS associated with the plentiful mitochondria, may be responsible for oxidative damage to muscle and the increased rate of aging.
The increased levels of ROS in muscle as we age would damage both the structure of the muscle and the mitochondria themselves. This leads to muscle with poorer function and strength. The reduction in the number of fully functional mitochondria will result in their being less energy available to the muscle.
If ROS are, at least in part, responsible for sarcopenia, what can you do? It is possible that a good diet with plenty of antioxidants may help. Keeping active and using your muscles will definitely slow the buildup of ROS and their potentially damaging effects.
Get moving. Slow sarcopenia and the buildup of ROS.
photo credit: evanosherow
