Muscle Loss
Sarcopenia: Understanding and Reversing Age-Related Muscle Loss
Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function associated with aging. While some degree of muscle decline is expected with age, sarcopenia reflects a pathologic process that accelerates physical disability, increases the risk of falls, and contributes to frailty and loss of independence. It often begins subtly in the fourth decade of life and progresses more rapidly after age 60, particularly in sedentary individuals or those with chronic illness.
Long-Term Musculoskeletal Effects of HIV Medications and the Role of Metabolic Optimization
Advances in HIV treatment have transformed the condition from a fatal disease into a chronic, manageable illness. However, the long-term use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to adverse effects on musculoskeletal health. These include loss of lean body mass, increased visceral adiposity, reduced bone mineral density, and sarcopenia. At the Performance Medicine Institute, we use an evidence-informed strategy that includes testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and metabolic optimization to preserve muscle, reduce fat, and support immune function.