Muscle Mass Helps You Live Longer!
For decades, BMI was the go-to measurement for predicting health and longevity. But new research is turning that idea on its head.
Muscle Mass Helps You Live Longer!
For decades, BMI was the go-to measurement for predicting health and longevity. But new research is turning that idea on its head.
Experts now agree that the amount of muscle you carry may be a much better predictor of how long—and how well—you'll live.
And the best part? You don’t have to be a gym rat to reap the rewards.
More Reliable Indicator Than BMI
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measurement of a person's fat to muscle ratio based on their height and weight. In the past, BMI was used by researchers to gauge potentially how long a person could live.
The American Journal of Medicine reported that muscle mass is actually a more reliable indicator of reduced mortality risk.
Their findings indicate that doctors and physicians should measure muscle mass relative to body height instead of weight as this produces more accurate results in predicting early death.
Start Anytime, Start Small
As people grow older, the risk of developing serious injuries from physical activities increases. This has led most elderly to avoid physical activity altogether.
However, researchers at Northeastern are shedding light on the benefits of maintaining muscle mass as we age. Simply put, the more muscle mass you have, the lower your risk of developing injuries to your tendons and ligaments. Stronger muscles also help reinforce bone and joint tissue, making them less susceptible to injury.
And you don’t need to lift heavy weights at all! Most researchers agree that minimal resistance training is already enough to build muscle for the elderly.
The Results
Research highlighted by the New York Post suggests than 30 to 60 minutes a week of resistance training can lower the risk of early death from all causes by 10% to 20%!
The findings from cardiologist Eric Topol shows that not only does building muscle help with injury prevention, it also helps with balance and mental sharpness as people head for their senior years.
Eric also notes that in some cases, strength and resistance training was also able to alleviate insomnia in elderly patients.
Muscle On
Forget the outdated focus on weight and BMI—your muscle mass matters more. Whether you're in your 30s or your 70s, the key to better aging could be as simple as picking up a resistance band and staying consistent. So start small, stay strong, and give your future self a better shot at a longer, healthier life.
Sources:
The American Journal of Medicine: Muscle Mass Index As a Predictor of Longevity in Older Adults
Northeastern Global News: ‘Build muscle strength if you want to live longer and healthier, Northeastern experts say
New York Post: I study ‘super agers’ — a single habit has the ‘most exceptional evidence’ for aging well
Check out Dr. Eddie Ramirez's social medias for expert health news:
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