Dr Gabrielle Lyon discusses the critical importance of strength training for overall health, including its impact on longevity, disease prevention, and energy levels. She emphasizes that muscle maintenance is crucial as we age and highlights the negative consequences of neglecting skeletal muscle health. The podcast also covers the benefits of incorporating high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training into daily life and the importance of embracing challenge and discomfort in order to promote healthy aging. Overall, the podcast highlights the transformative power of strength training for living a better, healthier life.
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Quick takeaways
Maintaining healthy muscle mass through strength training can enhance survivability across various disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia.
Resistance training, such as weightlifting or compound movements, promotes hypertrophy, the growth of muscle fibers, and increases the body's ability to burn calories.
Deep dives
Importance of Strength Training for Health
Dr. Gabrielle Lyon emphasizes the significance of strength training in improving health and longevity. Muscle is the organ of longevity, and maintaining healthy muscle mass can enhance survivability across various disease states, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Unfortunately, society has overly focused on losing weight rather than gaining muscle, leading to a global health epidemic. The human body is designed for physical activity, and physical movement, particularly high-intensity exercises, is essential for optimal health.
The Impact of Skeletal Muscle on Aging
Dr. Lyon explains that the decline of skeletal muscle is a natural part of aging, but it can be mitigated through proper exercise and nutrition. Skeletal muscle plays a vital role in metabolic health and glucose disposal. Resistance training, such as weightlifting or compound movements, promotes hypertrophy, the growth of muscle fibers, and increases the body's ability to burn calories. By preserving and strengthening skeletal muscle, individuals can improve mobility, prevent age-related tissue decline, and achieve functional independence in their daily lives.
Practical Tips for Muscle Health
Dr. Lyon provides practical recommendations for improving skeletal muscle health. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) once a week, even in short bouts, can significantly improve insulin resistance and metabolic function. Strength training three to four times a week through resistance exercises contributes to muscle growth, metabolic stress, and repairing proteins. These exercises should focus on compound movements rather than isolated exercises. Any form of physical activity that challenges the body can be beneficial, from skipping rope to bodyweight exercises, as long as it induces adaptation and provides a stimulus for muscle growth.
My guest today believes that if we start to focus and prioritise our largest organ – our muscle – we can burn more fat, improve our body composition, decrease our risk of disease, and increase our energy levels.
Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.
Today's clip is from episode 296 of the podcast with Dr Gabrielle Lyon – an osteopathic doctor who is board certified in family medicine.
Gabrielle believes that the single biggest problem with our health these days is not that we carry too much fat but that we don’t carry enough muscle. In this clip, she explains why strength training is critical for our health and how it can help us live longer, stronger, and better lives.
DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
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