Why Building Muscle is Important When Aging

As the body ages, maintaining muscle mass becomes more than just a matter of appearance—it is a fundamental aspect of health, independence, and quality of life. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The main symptom of the condition is muscle weakness. Sarcopenia is a type of muscle atrophy primarily caused by the natural aging process.” Research shows that building and preserving muscle can significantly reduce the risk of chronic conditions, support metabolic health, and contribute to a more active, fulfilling lifestyle in later years. Muscle building is not solely the domain of athletes or bodybuilders—it is a critical component of lifelong health. For aging adults, developing and maintaining muscle mass can be the key to preserving mobility, preventing disease, and staying engaged in the activities they enjoy most.

How much muscle mass will we lose as we age? A 2010 review article in Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care stated that adults will lose 3–8% of their muscle mass per decade after the age of 30. According to WebMD, some sarcopenia risk factors include the following below:

• Generally, when older adults are malnourished, whether that’s from eating too little or having a diet that doesn’t have sufficient nutrients for their needs, they are at higher risk for developing sarcopenia and will decline at a more rapid pace when they have it.

• A sedentary lifestyle: The longer you remain inactive during your day—whether sitting or lying down—the more muscle mass and strength that you are likely to lose in your body.

Early intervention is key to preserving strength as we age. The key is to start practicing a more active lifestyle and changing poor habits that affect our health today.

According to Cleveland Clinic, some of the symptoms of sarcopenia are the following:

• Poor balance and falls

• Muscle weakness

• Trouble climbing stairs

• Loss of stamina

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms or just want to check to see if you have sarcopenia, it is recommended to visit a healthcare professional. According to Cleveland Clinic, it is possible that you may do a questionnaire based on your self-reported symptoms and it is called the SARC-F. The letters in SARC-F stands for:

• S — Strength.

• A — Assistance with walking.

• R — Rising from a chair.

• C — Climbing stairs.

• F — Falls.

They state that in the test you will score between 0 and 2 for each letter. If you get a score of 4 or more, this will warrant more testing.

Additionally, they state that they may have you go through a physical exam and inquire about the symptoms that you are experiencing. The key here is that early detection is important. Identifying sarcopenia early can make a significant difference. In some cases, the healthcare professional might track changes over time to monitor any decline in muscle strength or endurance.

According to Harvard Health, “You can build stronger muscles by strength training, which uses resistance (like body weight, free weights, elastic bands, or specialized machines) to build muscle, or by power training, which focuses on both strength and speed. Ideally, you'd do a combination of both, as they help build and maintain muscle and can also bolster your bones by stimulating them to get stronger.”

Exercise in general offers numerous benefits that extend well beyond building muscle, especially as you age. Regular physical activity supports cardiovascular health, improves balance and coordination, enhances flexibility, and helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis, and improving mental well-being. Engaging in consistent movement can contribute to a higher quality of life as you grow older.

Harvard Health recommends some strength training exercises to try and those include the following:

• Overhead press

• Reverse fly

• Chair stand

• Standing calf raise

Harvard Health states that, “Getting enough protein is essential for regulating your immune system, hormone production, growth, and, yes, building lean muscle mass. Your body uses protein to help build and repair the small tears created by strength training.” They also state that it’s not just protein that you need in your diet to help you build lean muscle mass but carbohydrates as well for fuel and energy, and healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, fatty fish and olive oil to help supply energy to your body’s muscles.

Not building muscle mass as we age causes us to age faster. While building muscle comes from training and nutrition, recovery is where the real progress happens. LifePharm’s advanced supplements are designed to nourish the body at the cellular level, helping you bounce back faster, reduce inflammation, and support overall muscle and joint resilience—so you can keep moving forward at any age. These LifePharm products below help with muscle recovery after a workout.

LAMININE

Research indicates that regular use of LAMININE can enhance telomerase activity, thereby lengthening telomeres—the protective caps of chromosomes linked to healthier aging and improved overall health. By using LAMININE, you can boost your body's natural renewal process and slow aging with daily intake of LAMININE. It stimulates your body’s stem cells to regenerate damaged cells in most organs to help alleviate sore and stiff joints, which can help when recovering after exercise.*

Cellnergy Wellness Power Cream
Our innovative Cellnergy Power Cream harnesses the groundbreaking ThermalWave Technology, combining bio-active growth factors with natural sensory agents and infrared energy. The result is a comforting warmth that penetrates deep into your skin to soothe achy joints, stimulate blood flow, and enhance cellular activity. Regular applications can also boost sleep quality, making it a perfect addition to your nightly routine and you getting the rest you need for another day of exercise. For optimal results, apply twice daily to affected areas or use on the back of the neck and upper back before sleep to promote relaxation and improved sleep quality.

Cellnergy Wellness Device

The Cellnergy Wellness Device emits terahertz waves that may help activate healthy cells. Activating healthy cells through vibrations may cause them to perform their functions more effectively, thus stimulating cellular regeneration and promoting overall vitality.

The device also uses 630 nm red light that can penetrate the skin deeper than any other light colors, reaching cells without damaging the surrounding tissue. Red light works at the cellular level by stimulating the mitochondria in cells (or the cell’s powerhouse) to produce more ATP (adenosine triphosphate). An increase in ATP means that there is more energy in cells, allowing them to rejuvenate and repair themselves.Cellnergy’s advanced technology also uses heat therapy to help alleviate pain, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation. These combined technologies can be especially beneficial for muscle recovery after exercise.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Aging does not have to mean a steady decline in strength. By prioritizing muscle health through consistent exercise and proper nutrition, individuals can enhance their quality of life. With the right strategies—including strength training, early detection, and advanced nutritional support from LifePharm products—aging adults can take meaningful steps to stay active and strong. Building muscle is more than a fitness goal—it’s an investment in lifelong wellness.