Weaker muscles may seem to be a natural part of aging. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, if you want to stay active and healthy no matter what your age is, you’ll want to keep building those muscles. Strength is one obvious benefit you get from maintaining your muscle mass, but there are many more perks that come along with muscle health.
Below you will discover a few other reasons why you should aim to maintain good muscle tone as you get older, along with some helpful tips to make it work for you.
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Benefits of strong muscles for seniors and how to maintain muscle mass
Get more energy: If you find your energy level is always low, look no further than your own muscles. After we turn 40, we start losing our muscle mass at the rate of about eight percent every decade. Having greater muscle mass has been found to boost energy naturally.
Improve mobility: Muscles don’t just make us strong, they help us move, keep us balanced, and help maintain proper posture. In other words, they help prevent falls and fractures, which can be detrimental to seniors’ health.
Boost your immune system: Having strong muscles has been shown to help you fight illness more effectively and speed up the recovery.
Maintaining muscle strength isn’t just about lifting heavy weights. In fact, diet and nutrition play a large role in muscle mass. Malnutrition is a common problem among seniors, resulting in weak muscles as the body is starving for nutrients. To maintain muscle mass, stock up on protein (unless you have a kidney condition, then speak to your doctor). You should consume protein-rich foods such as beans, nuts, eggs, and cheese. Increasing protein intake in so important for seniors because overall their level of physical activity (which also helps maintain muscle mass) is lower.
It’s important that you balance your protein intake with carbohydrates. Not only will a healthy diet maintain muscle, but it can ward off illness, too.
As you can see, muscles are important, and not just because of the healthy, toned look. Having strong muscles is essential for overall good health, protecting you from the injury and illness. Regardless of your age, maintaining muscles should be a part of your healthy aging regimen if you want to live a long, healthy life.
