Information pertaining to the most efficient methods of building and maintaining muscle is important, yet sometimes confusing. Men can lose as much as 3% to 5% of their muscle mass (sarcopenia) per decade after age 30. Additionally, the muscle-building hormone, testosterone, drops gradually after age 40.
There are many components to building muscle, but the missing piece of preventing sarcopenia lies in understanding the effects of other hormones such as cortisol, insulin, melatonin and testosterone. This article will focus on building muscle and understanding the influence of these hormones that can deter muscle growth.
Building Muscle
Muscle growth, termed hypertrophy, is the action of increasing muscle mass and volume. Two particularly important components of building muscle are workouts and protein synthesis, and utilization during recovery.
According to one study, when intense exercise is performed using heavy weights or a maximum number of sets, trauma occurs to the muscle fibers. This activates satellite cells, found outside of the muscle fibers between the basement and the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, to proliferate at the injury site.
Susan Wade M.Ed., L.E., has more than 30 years of experience in education, kinesiology, athletic training, nutrition and aesthetics. Her functional medicine business dives deeper into resolving health issues, connecting the gut, stress, skin and inside health to help others regain their own health.
![[VIDEO] An Osmosis Facial Infusion Treatment Step-by-Step](https://native-x.imgix.net/allured/663137812f619a000179e394/Thumbnail-Sized.jpg?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=191&w=340&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70)
