kebaldwin
Mon, Jul-09-07, 06:08
Muscle-mass Loss Serious Threat to Seniors
Greensboro News & Record
07-06-07
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Elayne Goldhair knows about osteoporosis, the age-related disease that causes loss of bone mass. She eats plenty of fruits and vegetables, and has a bone density test every other year.
But like most people, the 86-year-old Palm Beach, Fla., resident has never heard of a similar medical condition that can lead to serious complications: sarcopenia -- age-related loss of muscle mass.
Sarcopenia, along with osteoporosis and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, are the most common reasons seniors become unable to care for themselves and end up in nursing homes.
Studies suggest sarcopenia may affect 40 percent of people age 80 or older -- about 9.1 million Americans -- and accounts for $18.5 million in health care expenditures annually.
Yet sarcopenia remains virtually unknown among most Americans.
Several health organizations are working to raise sarcopenia's profile and highlight strong evidence that its progress can be slowed through diet and exercise.
"I think the problem is that people just accept muscle loss as part of old age," said Dr. Christy Carter, an assistant professor at the University of Florida's Department of Aging and Geriatrics, who is doing research on sarcopenia in rats. "But it is a huge and growing health concern."
http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5572&Section=AGING
Greensboro News & Record
07-06-07
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Elayne Goldhair knows about osteoporosis, the age-related disease that causes loss of bone mass. She eats plenty of fruits and vegetables, and has a bone density test every other year.
But like most people, the 86-year-old Palm Beach, Fla., resident has never heard of a similar medical condition that can lead to serious complications: sarcopenia -- age-related loss of muscle mass.
Sarcopenia, along with osteoporosis and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, are the most common reasons seniors become unable to care for themselves and end up in nursing homes.
Studies suggest sarcopenia may affect 40 percent of people age 80 or older -- about 9.1 million Americans -- and accounts for $18.5 million in health care expenditures annually.
Yet sarcopenia remains virtually unknown among most Americans.
Several health organizations are working to raise sarcopenia's profile and highlight strong evidence that its progress can be slowed through diet and exercise.
"I think the problem is that people just accept muscle loss as part of old age," said Dr. Christy Carter, an assistant professor at the University of Florida's Department of Aging and Geriatrics, who is doing research on sarcopenia in rats. "But it is a huge and growing health concern."
http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5572&Section=AGING