Muscle mass and strength steadily increase until the age of 30. The body then begins losing muscles after 30 and continues with age.
Physically inactive people can lose as much as 3% to 5% of their muscle mass every decade. However, people with active lifestyles may still experience muscle loss.
Its symptoms can include weakness and loss of stamina, with reduced activity further shrinking muscle mass. Lower concentration of some hormones, including testosterone, can lead to further loss of muscle and strength.
The best prevention and treatment for muscle loss is exercise, especially resistance training or strength training. Strength training is essential as women age because of the increased osteoporosis risk during menopause. Strength training exercises help build bone and muscle strength, burn body fat, and rev up the metabolism. Everything from dumbbells to resistance training is beneficial for overall muscle health..
Another effective treatment is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), specifically one that includes testosterone or a testosterone precursor like DHEA. Testosterone helps maintain muscle health and reduces the risk of muscle loss.