Muscle Wasting in Menopausal Women
Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD is a leading Menopause Specialist NYC who has helped thousands of women navigate Menopause, a difficult stage of life. Regarding menopause, many of you have read about the annoying symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleeping problems, mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, anxiety, low libido and more. You may have even heard about bone loss (osteoporosis) during menopause. But are you aware of muscle wasting, or “sarcopenia”?
This is the wasting of muscle that is seen in elderly patients. It can begin as early as age 40. It can become extremely pronounced in women in their 60’s. And as women approach their 80’s and beyond, it is increasingly recognized as a major impediment to continued health and well-being. It is a major component of “frailty.”
Why is this so important? A 50-year-old woman, who does not already have cancer or heart disease, has a life expectancy of 91! Thus, concerns about “healthy aging” are an extremely important part of what I am helping my patients accomplish. Many of you know that I have had a particular interest in bone health, preventing osteoporosis, diagnosing bone mass with bone density testing and talking to many of you about fall prevention and balance exercise.
Sarcopenia and its loss of muscle can be just as devastating to the elderly as loss of bone. So how do you guard against “muscle wasting”? First, resistance exercises are important. Walking, biking and cardiovascular machines are good for you but do not build muscle mass. Only resistance exercises and strength training can do so.
Secondly, adequate protein in one’s diet is crucial. An adult female who weighs 150 pounds should be eating approximately 81 grams of protein per day. Foods that are relatively high in protein include (believe it or not) peanut butter, for which two table spoons have 8 grams of protein; one cup of non-fat milk, 8.8 grams; two medium eggs, 11.4 grams; one chicken drum stick, 12.2 grams; one half cup of cottage cheese, 15 grams; and 3 ounces of flounder or turkey, 25 grams.
Thirdly, estrogen has a very positive impact on muscle mass and strength. Thus, when a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen, she enters menopause. Many women have been helped by Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to replace the estrogen lost during menopause, and reduce the associated symptoms, including sarcopenia (muscle wasting). A visit to a leading hormone specialist in NYC for an evaluation. may be beneficial.
Dr Steven R Goldstein MD, regarded as one of the nation’s top doctors in gynecology, is a Certified Menopause Practitioner, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society and a past President of the International Menopause Society. He is a recipient of the Thomas A. Clarkson award for many outstanding contributions to menopause related clinical or basic science research If you are a woman approaching menopause, in menopause or post-menopausal, you should be concerned about your bone health. If you are either of these, a consultation with Dr Goldstein, a Menopause Specialist in NYC be in order.