Dr. Stuart Phillips: Why we lose muscle mass and strength with age and what we can start doing about it today to stay strong and resilient: Episode 21
Jan 18, 2022
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Dr. Stuart Phillips, expert on muscle loss related to aging, discusses muscle and joint changes, hormonal changes, and protein intake with age. He emphasizes the importance of strength training and physical activity to maintain functionality and independence as we age. The podcast also touches on social connection, community, finding purpose, and overcoming muscle resistance with age.
The degradation of connective tissue in the body as we age leads to issues with joints rather than muscles in older athletes.
Anabolic resistance, which decreases the body's ability to efficiently use protein for muscle repair, becomes evident as people age.
Maintaining an active lifestyle, even with shorter bouts of exercise, can contribute to successful aging by improving cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
Deep dives
The Impact of Aging on Connective Tissue and Joint Health
As we age, the connective tissue in our bodies, including muscles and joints, starts to break down and becomes harder to repair and remodel. This degradation affects older athletes, who often experience issues with their joints rather than their muscles. The connective tissue, such as collagen, plays a crucial role in providing strength and stability to the muscles and tendons. Therefore, the decline in connective tissue can lead to decreased explosiveness, slower recovery from injuries, and an increased risk of tears or ruptures in older athletes.
Anabolic Resistance in Older Adults
Aging is associated with anabolic resistance, which refers to the decreased ability of the body to efficiently use protein for muscle repair and remodeling. This anabolic resistance becomes evident as people age, typically in their 30s or 40s, and results in slower recovery from tough workouts and injuries. Protein synthesis, the process of building proteins from amino acids, becomes less efficient, reducing the body's ability to rebuild muscle tissue. As a result, older athletes may need to consume more protein or adjust their diet to optimize muscle repair and recovery.
The Role of Mitochondria and ATP Production in Aging
Mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell, play a crucial role in producing ATP, the energy currency of the body. However, as we age, mitochondrial function tends to decline, leading to a less efficient ATP production. This decline can impact an athlete's performance and recovery. While exercise does not significantly increase testosterone levels, it offers numerous other benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Therefore, maintaining an active lifestyle, even with shorter bouts of exercise, can contribute to successful aging.
Importance of Strength and Aerobic Endurance in Sports
Sports that combine both strength and aerobic endurance, such as rugby, are essential for overall fitness. These sports require players to be both strong and fit, as they involve continuous running for extended periods. Strength training is crucial to maximize aerobic capacity and muscular power. Similarly, endurance training, such as running marathons, helps improve overall fitness. Balancing strength and endurance is crucial for optimal physical performance in sports and for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Impact of Aging and Inflammation on Health
Aging is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, which can have negative consequences for health. Chronic inflammation is often linked to excessive body fat and sedentary behavior. However, exercise is an effective countermeasure against chronic inflammation, despite acutely inducing inflammation. Exercise promotes a balanced inflammatory response and can help combat age-related inflammation, maintaining overall health and well-being. Additionally, adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and moderate amounts of polyphenolic-rich foods can also help reduce inflammation and promote healthy aging.
Ever wonder why you're not recovering as quickly as you used to, why your joints feel a bit more "crickety," and why your training routine isn't bringing you the returns it used to?
With age, our bodies change and our muscles change. We must understand what to tweak to best manage our changing bodies and keep them strong and resilient.
I reached out to Dr. Stuart Phillips to discuss the topic of muscle loss related to aging, how this can impact our functionality and quality of life, and what we can do about it.
Dr. Stuart Phillips is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and a member of the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He's also the Director of the McMaster University Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE). His research is focused on the impact of nutrition and exercise on skeletal muscle protein turnover. In addition, he has a keen interest in diet- and exercise-induced changes in body composition, particularly in older persons.
During the conversation we touch on so many interesting topics including but not limited to:
Muscle and joint changes with age - What causes it? What can you do?
Hormonal changes with age - testosterone, growth hormone, estrogen - are supplements and pharmacological therapies beneficial? Risks?
Mitochondrial changes with age - is there something to aging and improved endurance?
What type of strength training we should incorporate as we age and why.
Protein intake with age - how does it change and what should we do?
Protein quality - can I get what I need from vegetarian protein?
The power of community, spirituality, and exercise snacks.
Dr. Phillips speaks about his path to where he is today and his thoughts on the imperfect process of life and trusting the process.
Thank you so much for listening. Please share this with your friends on your favorite social media platform and tag me @guzmannutrition on Twitter or @guzmananne on IG, and Dr. Phillips is @mackinprof on both Twitter and IG.
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