Effects of Aging
July 13, 2009
By Karen Cohen, Certified Nutritionist
We know that as we age, we tend to lose a certain amount of lean muscle mass and gain body fat. The average person loses about 6.6 pounds each decade beginning around 25 and the rate of loss accelerates over age 45. How fast this happens is strongly influenced by how physically active you are. The loss of lean body mass is referred to as Sarcopenia which literally means “loss of flesh”. You cannot measure this with a regular scale, but you can measure it with a body composition machine such as the Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer.
Exercise is the best way to prevent decline of lean muscle mass. Men genetically have a higher percent of weight in lean muscle mass than women. That is why men can eat more calories and not gain weight. Women genetically have more body fat than men. This is why women need fewer calories per pound then men and women gain weight more easily than men.
Even at age 65 to 70 a person can have a body composition of a 40 year old just by doing regular physical exercise.
· Exercise corrects metabolic imbalances and decreases body fat storage.
· Exercise must be accompanied by a healthy diet to get these desired benefits.
Please contact me for further information about the Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer. It is non invasion, just like getting an ekg. I welcome any questions you have. Please call me at (310) 444-9755 and visit my website at http://www.learn2eatright.com.
