Screenshot source: Abbott

Aging brings a desire to remain independent and capable. Many adults look for ways to stay active and enjoy their golden years fully, such as pursuing their hobbies, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.

However, as we get older, many of us may start to notice changes in our bodies. Our strength and energy may not feel the same as they did before, and we might find ourselves vulnerable to illnesses.

Even those who follow good health practices may face a gradual decline in muscle strength and immune function, contributing to what is known as the "cycle of weakness." Understanding these changes is important, not just for ourselves, but also for our loved ones.

Understanding the cycle of weakness

As we grow older, we often become susceptible to a detrimental cycle of weakness, where muscle deterioration increases the risk of illness, which in turn accelerates further muscle loss, unlike when we were younger.

Study shows that after the age of 40, we may lose muscle mass over the years – up to 8% per decade, with the rate of loss increasing as we get older which is up to 15% per decade after the age of 70.¹ This decline may affect overall strength of the body and of the immune system, making recovery challenging and potentially increasing the risk of falls, up to 9.9 times high due to weakened lower body strength.

Screenshot source: ABS-CBN News

How muscles and the immune system are connected

While we usually think of muscles as essential for movement, strength, and energy, did you know that there is evidence suggesting a relationship between muscle and immune function?¹

Muscles produce and release compounds that play an important role in the proliferation, activation, and distribution of some immune cells. Moreover, while additional research is needed, data suggests loss of muscle mass is associated with compromised immunity and infections.^1,2,3

Research in older adults has shown increased markers of inflammation associated with low muscle mass and muscle function.^1,4 Finally, muscle is a major storage site for amino acids that are used by the body during a trauma or infection. Therefore, having low muscle mass and not enough protein may weaken the body's response to illness or injury.^1,3

Infections may also exacerbate muscle loss.^2,5 For example, 10 days of ICU hospitalization may possibly lead to muscle loss close to that lost by a healthy individual over 10 years.

This decline impacts both immediate health and long-term resilience, making muscle health essential for a strong immune system and vice versa.

Muscle and immune health are intertwined which is why supporting one helps the other. This is especially important as we age, and proper nutrition may play a big role. Abbott's Ensure Gold® with Streng+h Pro® is formulated with HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate) to help support muscle health and YBG (Yeast Beta-Glucan) to help enhance immunity, along with proper diet, exercise, and rest. This combination helps promote muscle strength, bolsters immune defenses, and contributes to overall well-being breaking the cycle of weakness and building the cycle of strength.

Screenshot source: Abbott

By prioritizing strategies to help maintain muscle mass and support the immune system, you may empower yourself to reinvent and embrace the new age.

Screenshot source: Abbott

Support your aging loved ones in maintaining their strength and vitality with Ensure Gold® with Streng+h Pro®. Its scientifically formulated blend of HMB for muscle health and YBG for immune support works together to help create a cycle of strength, helping them stay active, resilient, and full of life, along with proper diet, daily activities, and rest. Give them the care they deserve by providing the nutritional foundation they need to thrive every day.

For more details on how Ensure Gold® with Streng+h Pro® may support healthy ageing, visit the official website of Ensure Gold® and follow Alagang Abbott on Facebook. Ensure Gold® with Streng+hPro® is also available in Shopee and Lazada.

ASC REFERENCE CODE: A0169P112724E 

PH.2024.55504.ENS.1 (v1.0)

REFERENCES

1. Minding Our Muscles for Immune Health. (2021, February 25). Retrieved from https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/minding-our-muscles-for-immune-health

2. Prado, C. M., Purcell, S. A., Alish, C., Pereira, S. L., Deutz, N. E., Heyland, D. K., … Heymsfield, S. B. (2018). Implications of low muscle mass across the continuum of care: a narrative review. Annals of Medicine, 50(8), 675–693. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2018.1511918

3. Argilés JM, Campos N, Lopez-Pedrosa JM, Rueda R, Rodriguez-Mañas L. Skeletal Muscle Regulates Metabolism via Interorgan Crosstalk: Roles in Health and Disease. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016 Sep 1;17(9):789-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2016.04.019. Epub 2016 Jun 17. PMID: 27324808

4. Westbury LD, Fuggle NR, Syddall HE, Duggal NA, Shaw SC, Maslin K, Dennison EM, Lord JM, Cooper C. Relationships Between Markers of Inflammation and Muscle Mass, Strength and Function: Findings from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. Calcif Tissue Int. 2018 Mar;102(3):287-295. doi: 10.1007/s00223-017-0354-4. Epub 2017 Nov 3. PMID: 29101476; PMCID: PMC5818589.

5. J.L. Atkins, P.H. Whincup, R.W. Morris, S.G. Wannamethee. (2014). Low muscle mass in older men: The role of lifestyle, diet and cardiovascular risk factors, The Journal of nutrition, health and aging, Volume 18, Issue 1, Pages 26-33, ISSN 1279-7707, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0336-9. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1279770723017104)