Move Daily Talks: Muscles in Menopause with Stuart Phillips Ph.D. | EPS. 3
Jun 29, 2024
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Stuart Phillips, a distinguished kinesiology professor and muscle research expert, discusses the challenges of building lean muscle during menopause. He emphasizes the vital role of resistance training and adequate protein intake, recommending 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. They tackle misconceptions about hormones, highlighting that it's never too late to start strength training. Consistency in exercise is crucial, along with mindful dietary choices for health span and longevity.
Resistance training and a high protein intake of 1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram are essential for maintaining muscle during menopause.
Consistency and tailored exercise regimens are crucial for overcoming the impacts of hormonal changes and promoting muscle growth throughout life.
Deep dives
The Role of Exercise in Muscle Health
Exercise is fundamental for maintaining and building skeletal muscle health, especially as individuals age. Resistance training can be particularly effective in promoting muscle growth, regardless of gender; studies have shown that women can gain muscle mass comparably to men when engaged in similar resistance training programs. However, factors like hormonal changes during menopause can affect women’s abilities to increase lean muscle tissue after this life stage due to decreased estrogen levels, which contribute to muscle repair and regeneration. Despite these challenges, the message is clear: consistent resistance training can still yield significant benefits throughout life if started at any age.
Protein Intake and Muscle Building
A higher protein intake is crucial for building and maintaining muscle mass, particularly for women going through menopause. Current guidelines suggest a protein intake of 1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight to optimize muscle growth, which is considerably higher than the current recommended daily allowance. This emphasis on increased protein is due to its vital role as a building block for muscle, bones, and connective tissues, not just as a fuel source. Consuming nutrient-dense sources of protein, such as animal products, can assist in meeting these dietary needs, while the importance of a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates and fats is also acknowledged.
Importance of Consistency and Effort in Training
Consistency and effort are essential components of an effective exercise regimen, particularly for muscle hypertrophy. It is advised that individuals engage in resistance training at least twice a week, focusing on high effort and proper technique, regardless of the weights used. Workouts should be tailored to individual capabilities, ensuring that personal enjoyment and comfort lead to greater long-term adherence. Furthermore, the concept of progressive overload—gradually increasing the challenges placed on muscles—is fundamental to encourage continued strength gains and prevent plateauing.
Genetics and Personalization in Fitness
Genetics plays a significant role in individual responses to exercise and muscle growth, suggesting that people should choose their fitness paths wisely based on their unique bodies. While genetic predispositions can affect how one performs and responds to training, lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, still hold immense power in shaping one’s health outcomes. Understanding the distinction between internal and external factors can help individuals navigate their fitness journeys more effectively; external factors, like programming and load stimulus, are within one's control. Ultimately, embracing a personalized approach to fitness and being mindful of one's biological limitations can lead to better outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Dr. Stuart Phillips discusses the challenges and strategies for building lean muscle during menopause, emphasizing the importance of resistance training, adequate protein intake, and consistent exercise habits, while debunking myths about hormonal impacts and highlighting the benefits of persistence and proper programming.
Highlight: 00:00 Dr. Stuart Phillips discusses his background in studying muscles and his interest in the interaction of exercise, physical activity, aging, and nutrition.
05:21 Menopause affects women's ability to build lean muscle due to the decrease in estrogen impacting muscle generation and repair.
10:45 Starting resistance training and eating more protein later in life can help maintain muscle strength, even in your 70s.
16:07 Consistency is key in exercise for women in menopause.
21:30 Choices in diet, exercise, and stress management play a significant role in health span and longevity.
26:52 Dr. Stuart Phillips discusses the benefits of higher protein diet for menopausal women and recommends 1.6 to 2.2 grams per kilogram of body weight.
32:14 Dr. Stuart Phillips discusses the importance of resistance exercise training for increasing muscle tissue as we age.
37:38 Discussion on the importance of training VO2 max and the misconceptions around cortisol levels in women
The Move Daily Membership is a paid monthly subscription for women, which gives you access to a huge amount of resources to help support you in reaching your health goals. Whether you’re looking to lose fat, gain lean muscle, focus on your nutrition, give time to wellness or simply wish to dial in your overall health, we can support you in achieving your objectives. Join today!
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