Muscle mass is a game changer!
If you aren't doing some kind of strength training, you're neglecting the single largest component of the human body. You are more muscle tissue than anything else!
Muscle mass is a powerful ally in the inevitable battles against age, gravity, hormones, toxins, injuries, bad habits, disease, stress, laziness, and a dozen other things that come along to rob you of vitality, or possibly even your life!
Now, for the highlights!
Muscles Burn Calories. Using and maintaining muscle mass takes calories. The more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you burn!
Muscles Fight Fat Storage. A 12 year study with over 10,000 men found strength training superior to cardio for minimizing abdominal fat storage.
Muscles Fight Diabetes. More muscle mass reduces your chance of developing Type II diabetes! Muscles keep you insulin sensitive. Sensitive = good! Resistant = bad!
Muscles Fight Osteoporosis. Strength training increases bone density and strength!
Muscles Strengthen Tendons and Ligaments Too. Strength training also boosts tendon and ligament size and strength!
Muscles Boost Testosterone. Strength training boosts testosterone levels significantly! Testosterone levels drop as we age. Lower testosterone = bad things: depression, abdominal fat storage, muscle loss, lack of energy, lack of motivation, and many other very bad no good things!
Muscles Fight Falls and Accidents. Seniors with lower muscle mass are more likely to suffer injuries and death from falls!
Muscles Make You Happy. Strength training causes the body to release mood-elevating endorphins, testosterone, serotonin, and BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). All these increase happiness and feelings of well-being, in both the short and long term!
Muscles Fight Cancer and Disease. More muscle mass reduces your risk of developing cancer! More muscle mass is also linked to better outcomes in most, if not all, cases of cancers and other diseases!
Muscles Make You Smart. Studies show brain size actually increases when previously sedentary subjects begin strength training!
Muscles Fight Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Muscle mass doesn’t just improve brain function now, but it can help delay or avoid the onset of age related cognitive decline and disease. Muscle mass and strength training greatly reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, dementia, or even just mild cognitive impairment.
For a more detailed explanation of the many benefits of muscle mass, check out this article.
As always, thank you for reading! Have a great day!