Sarcopenia – Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Abstract

Growing older is linked to significant alterations in body composition, with the main cause being a reduction in skeletal muscle mass. Sarcopenia is the term used to describe this age-related loss of skeletal muscle. The age-related decline in muscle strength is directly connected to the age-related reduction in muscle. The main factor influencing the age- and sex-related variations in strength appears to be muscle mass rather than function. The location (upper vs. lower extremities) and function (extension vs. flexion) of the muscles have no bearing on this connection. One of the main reasons why older people have higher rates of impairment is because they have less muscle mass. Muscle strength is an essential component of walking ability, especially in the elderly due to their advancing age and extremely low activity levels. It’s possible that the elderly living in institutions have a higher risk of falls because of their weakened muscles. Over the course of adulthood, daily energy expenditure gradually decreases. Fat-free mass is the primary factor that determines energy expenditure in sedentary individuals. It decreases by around 15% during the third and eighth decade of life, which leads to a decreased basal metabolic rate in older adults. Research suggests that sarcopenia can be avoided and muscle mass preservation can help stop the decline in metabolic rate. Skeletal muscle plays a crucial part in energy metabolism, and as we age, it may also be linked to age-related changes such decreased bone density, insulin sensitivity, and aerobic endurance.

Introduction

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is a common skeletal muscle condition known as sarcopenia. It is increasingly acknowledged as a primary contributor to morbidity and disability in the aged. Sarcopenia may start in a person’s fourth decade of life. Skeletal muscle mass and strength appear to decrease linearly with age, with up to 50% of mass lost by the eighth decade of life, according to the evidence. A musculoskeletal condition known as sarcopenia is characterised by a progressive decrease of muscle mass and strength, especially in older people. Reduced levels of muscle strength, muscle quantity or quality, and physical performance are all included in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. Such musculoskeletal deterioration has been shown to have predictive value for adverse postoperative outcomes, higher rates of complications, death, and morbidity following major surgical procedures, and the inability to carry out daily tasks. Furthermore, there is a clear correlation between sarcopenia and a higher risk of fracture and a higher frequency of falls. Additionally, in people older than 90, loss of independence is associated with sarcopenia’s criteria of decreasing muscle mass or function. Sarcopenia is a condition that is being investigated more and more.

Causes

The aging process is the most frequent cause of sarcopenia. You start to gradually lose strength and muscular mass in your 30s and 40s. The years 65 to 80 are when this process accelerates. Every ten years, you may lose up to 8% of your muscle mass, however rates can vary. Although everyone gradually loses muscular mass, sarcopenic individuals lose it more quickly. Although aging is often the primary reason, other potential risk factors for sarcopenia have been found by researchers. These could include:

1. Physical exercise
2. Obesity
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
4. Chronic kidney disease
5. Diabetes
6. Cancer
7. HIV
8. Insulin resistance
9. Decreased hormone levels
10. Malnutrition
11. Reduced capacity to metabolise protein into energy

Symptoms

1. Muscle weakness
2. Loss of energy
3. Slow walking, falls
4. Poor balance
5. Difficulty climbing stairs
6. Difficulty carrying out everyday tasks,and a
7. Decrease in muscle size

Diagnosis

1. A physical assessment

2. The self-reported clinical score is known as the SARC-F. SARC-F represents

• S: Strength
• A: Walking assistance
• R: Getting out of a chair
• C: Climbing chairs
• F: Falls

3. Tests of muscular strength

1. Walking pace test
2. Hand grip test
3. Chair stand test
4. Short physical performance battery

4. Examining Images

1. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
2. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Management

• The majority of sarcopenia treatments include lifestyle modifications. These modifications to the daily schedule can help cure and reverse sarcopenia.
• Strength training based on resistance is the exercise. This type of exercise can help you become stronger and keep your muscles from deteriorating.
• Good food: When paired with regular exercise, a balanced diet can help reverse the signs of sarcopenia. It’s critical to increase protein consumption through diet and/or supplements.

Ayurvedic View

According to Ayurveda, sarcopenia is correlated with mamsa dhatu kshaya due to growing older. Due to the extreme vitiation of the vata dosha that occurs in old age, dhatu kshaya results. There are some causes and symptoms of mamsa dhatu kshaya, according to the ayurveda acharyas.

Causes

Causes relating to age

• Age (senile degeneration resulting from an overabundance of vata with ageing)

Causes linked to diet

1. Overly dry meals
2. Merely consuming food for one taste
3. Prolonged fasting

Causes Connected to lifestyle

1. Overdoing it when it comes to exercise
2. Waking up late
3. Stress
4. Fear
5. Depression, and
6. Excessive rage

Symptoms

1. Wasting of buttocks, cheeks, and other parts
2. Pain
3. Dryness in eyes
4. Debility in sense organs
5. Cracking sound in the joints
6. Pain in the joints
7. Collapse of blood vessels
8. Wasting of buttocks, cheeks, lips, penis, thigs, chest, axilla, calves, abdomen, and neck
9. Debility

Herbal Remedies for Sarcopenia by Planet Ayurveda

The special herbal formulations from Planet Ayurveda can help you ease the symptoms of sarcopenia and cure it miraculously by balancing the vata dosha and promoting mamsa vridhi. Planet Ayurveda uses four herbal formulations—vikramprash, shatavari ghrita, weight gain pills, and ashwagandha capsules—to treat sarcopenia. These formulas are all made under the appropriate guidance of M.D. Ayurvedic professionals. Formulations are entirely natural, devoid of artificial ingredients such as gums, starches, resins, fibres, etc. or preservatives.

Product List

1. NOURISH MAXX
2. MUSLI STRENGTH CAPSULES
3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES
4. SHATAVARI GHRIT

Product Description

1. Nourish Maxx

With the aid of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed musli), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), and Tribulus terrestris (Gokshura), Planet Ayurveda created this multi-herbal combination Nourish Maxx. Packed with antioxidants, ashwagandha helps build muscle strength and is helpful in treating anxiety and stress. Additionally, safed Musli may encourage muscular growth, while gokshura is used to increase physical strength. Shatavari supports immunity and fortifies characteristics. This herbal treatment helps with sarcopenia by strengthening the muscles.

Dosage: Take one teaspoon twice daily.

2. Musli Strength Capsule

Planet Ayurveda has created Musli Strength, a multi-herbal blend, in collaboration with Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed musli). Safed musli may encourage the growth of muscle by increasing growth hormone levels. Safed musli could significantly affect the body’s overall energy and endurance levels. The powerful components of this combo along with additional herbs may help lessen weakness and exhaustion while boosting the body’s energy levels. Gokshura is also used to enhance male reproductive health, physical strength, and athletic ability. Gokshura is said to have  immune-stimulating, aphrodisiac, and rejuvenating properties.

Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily.

3. Ashwagandha Capsules

Planet Ayurveda formulates ashwagandha capsules, which are herbal capsules, using a standardised extract of Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha. The immune system is significantly strengthened by ashwagandha. It has been shown to assist immune cells that lessen inflammation and combat infection. Ashwagandha’s potent anti-inflammatory properties make it incredibly beneficial in painful conditions like arthritis. It is high in antioxidants, beneficial in restoring muscle strength, and useful in the treatment of stress and anxiety.

Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily.

4. Shatavari Ghrit

With the aid of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Meda), Lal chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), Go Ghrita (Cow’s Ghee), and a few other components, Planet Ayurveda created Shatavari Ghrit, a multi-herbal concoction. When all the ingredients are mixed together, a powerful herbal supplement is created that promotes muscle growth and nerve cell regeneration, which aids in weight gain. It balances the doshas of Pitta and Vata. boosts immunity and fortifies characteristics. It increases the white blood cell count. This herbal remedy should be a part of the sarcopenia treatment plan. If used with other drugs, it will help maintain the patient’s health and avoid sarcopenia.

Dosage: Take one teaspoon twice daily.

Conclusion

In medicine, the gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, and function is called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is the term for the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging. The main sign of the illness is muscle weakness. Sarcopenia, or the atrophy of the muscles, is primarily caused by ageing. Scientists have identified two risk factors for the condition: consuming unhealthy foods and not exercising. Sarcopenia and mamsa dhatu kshaya (ageing) are connected, according to Ayurveda. Dhatu kshaya arises when the vata dosha becomes overly vitiated with age. Certain herbal therapies are beneficial and useful for sarcopenia according to Planet Ayurveda.