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Part 1: Why Muscle Loss in Old Age Is Not Inevitable!
When we think of muscles, many of us usually think of aesthetics, strength training, or athletic performance. But in modern holistic medicine, our view of muscles has fundamentally changed: With its 654 muscles, the skeletal musculature is one of the largest and most active metabolic organs in our body. It regulates organ function, influences detoxification, and serves as a crucial protective shield for the bones, brain, and heart.
Nevertheless, a persistent myth remains: that as we age, we inevitably lose strength and muscle mass. Science now clearly shows that this is not a biological inevitability, but rather, in most cases, the result of a lack of physical activity.
The Creeping Process of Sarcopenia
Inactivity comes at a price. Those who do not regularly challenge their muscles lose about 25% of their muscle mass between the ages of 30 and 55—which corresponds to roughly 1% per year. Starting at age 60, this process even accelerates to 2 to 3% annually. In medicine, this is referred to as sarcopenia, or pathological muscle loss.
What’s particularly dramatic is that as muscle mass declines, so does muscle quality. The ability to react quickly and exert force declines even faster than sheer volume—by up to 4% per year. In everyday life, this leads to a lack of confidence, an increased risk of falls, and weakness. On average, the muscle mass of Germans today accounts for just 20% of their body weight; the optimal range would be 25 to 35% for women and 40 to 50% for men
“Our muscles are forever 15 years young”
The good news: Muscle tissue has an amazing capacity for regeneration. As the renowned sports scientist Prof. Dr. Ingo Froböse emphasizes, muscle cells continuously renew themselves—biologically speaking, they remain in their “wild teenage years” forever, so to speak. Whether you start targeted training at age 30, 50, or 80, the body responds at any age by building muscle and adapting. The motto is quite straightforward: Use it or lose it!
The Body’s Own Natural Pharmacy: Myokines
When muscles are tensed and challenged, they function like a gland within the body. They release hundreds of different signaling molecules, known as myokines. These signaling molecules communicate directly with the brain, adipose tissue, liver, and immune system:
They have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect throughout the entire body.
They protect against osteoporosis by inhibiting bone loss.
They improve glucose metabolism and help prevent type 2 diabetes.
They stimulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain that protect memory and strengthen mental resilience.
Why Standard Checkups Are Often Insufficient
Although muscle health is the key to a long, self-determined life, it is often neglected in conventional medicine. A cursory glance at your weight or BMI reveals very little about the state of your muscle quality, protein status, or silent inflammatory processes.
This is where comprehensive functional diagnostics come in: Through a detailed blood analysis with approximately 70 laboratory parameters, your metabolic and nutritional profile can be fully assessed. This allows us to determine exactly whether vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or unnoticed inflammation are hindering your muscle growth.
In the second part, you’ll learn specifically how to activate your “muscle pharmacy” in your daily life and what role proper nutrition plays in this process.
Warm regards
Michaela Bisch-Dußmann
