Unexplained loss of muscle mass, also known as cachexia, can be concerning and frustrating. It is characterized by the unintended loss of lean muscle tissue that cannot be reversed through conventional nutrition and exercise. There are several potential causes, including:
- Underlying illnesses: Certain chronic or serious diseases like cancer, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis can trigger cachexia. The inflammation and hormonal changes related to illness can accelerate muscle wasting.
- Inadequate nutrition: If calorie and protein intake is too low over time, the body may break down muscle tissue for energy. This commonly happens in seniors who struggle with appetite or digestion.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Muscles need stimuli like strength training and activity to maintain mass. Prolonged inactivity allows muscles to weaken and atrophy. Illness, injury, surgery, or constrained mobility can trigger this.
- Age-related sarcopenia: This refers to the gradual loss of muscle with aging due to reduced hormones, protein synthesis, nerves' ability to activate muscles, and stem cell activity. Sarcopenia cannot be fully reversed but can be slowed and managed.
- Medications: Certain drugs like steroids, chemotherapy, and some heart medications deplete protein stores and promote muscle wasting over months of use.
If you're experiencing concerning, unexplained muscle loss, I recommend getting a comprehensive workup and asking your doctor to explore potential reasons. Bloodwork, imaging, endoscopy or biopsy may help diagnose an underlying condition. Consult a certified hormone specialist like those at Prime Hormone Solutions who can check hormone levels linked to muscle health like testosterone, human growth hormone, thyroid and insulin. They can also analyze nutrition status and rule out absorption issues. With an integrative approach, the root biological cause can often be identified and treated to halt or slow further wasting.
In the meantime, focus on consuming
25-30 grams of high-quality protein every few hours to provide your muscles the amino acids they need. Include animal proteins, dairy, eggs, fish, beans, lentils, or hemp.
Perform gentle strength training 2-3x a week to signal your muscles to retain mass, and take
10,000 steps per day to stimulate muscle activity. Consider supplementing key nutrients commonly depleted in cachexia like creatine monohydrate, vitamin D, omega 3s and turmeric.
I hope this overview on the common reasons for unexplained muscle wasting helps provide some direction if you're experiencing cachexia. Don't hesitate to contact your physician and explore specialized hormone testing if muscle loss persists despite nutrition and training efforts. Treating underlying illness or imbalances may help halt wasting and rebuild healthy lean mass.