From the Guidelines
Muscle-Centric Medicine Plays a Crucial Role in Overall Health Muscle-centric medicine is essential for maintaining overall health, as it focuses on the importance of muscle mass and strength in preventing and managing various diseases 1. A diet rich in protein is recommended to support muscle growth and overall health, with a suggested intake of 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, spread out over 3 to 5 main meals 1.
- Resistance Training: Incorporating resistance training exercises into one's routine is crucial, aiming for 2 to 3 sessions per week, with a focus on compound movements such as squats, deadlifts, and bench press 1.
- Sleep and Stress Management: Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night and managing stress levels are also essential to support overall muscle health 1.
- Muscle Mass and Strength: Maintaining muscle mass and strength is vital, as it can help prevent falls, improve bone density, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer 1.
- Clinical Applications: Muscle-centric medicine has various clinical applications, including the management of chronic diseases, rehabilitation after surgery or injury, and improving overall physical function and quality of life 1.
In summary, muscle-centric medicine is a critical aspect of overall health, and its importance cannot be overstated. By incorporating a balanced diet, regular resistance training, adequate sleep, and stress management into one's lifestyle, individuals can maintain optimal muscle health and reduce the risk of various diseases.
From the Research
Role of Muscle-Centric Medicine in Overall Health
The concept of muscle-centric medicine emphasizes the importance of muscle health in overall well-being. According to 2, physical activity and exercise can prevent or ameliorate lifestyle-related diseases, extend health span, enhance physical function, and reduce the burden of non-communicable chronic diseases. Key aspects of muscle-centric medicine include:
- Preventive medicine: Physical activity and exercise can prevent lifestyle-related diseases and extend health span.
- Therapeutic agent: Exercise can serve as a therapeutic agent in pathological states, such as cardiometabolic disease, cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, and neurological conditions.
- Personalized medicine: Structured exercise prescriptions should be customized and monitored like any other medical treatment, considering the dose-response relationships and specific adaptations necessary for intended outcomes.
Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity
The benefits of exercise and physical activity are numerous, including:
- Extending health span and enhancing quality of life 2
- Preventing or ameliorating lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiometabolic disease, cancer, and musculoskeletal conditions 2
- Reducing the burden of non-communicable chronic diseases 2
- Enhancing physical function and reducing the risk of falls 2
- Improving cognitive function and reducing the risk of neurocognitive disorders 3
Integration of Exercise into Medical Practice
Despite the benefits of exercise and physical activity, many healthcare professionals need more training to incorporate exercise directly into patient care 2. Education about the use of exercise as isolated or adjunctive treatment for geriatric syndromes and chronic diseases would help to ease the problems of polypharmacy and widespread prescription of potentially inappropriate medications. An integrated strategy that combines exercise prescriptions with pharmacotherapy would optimize the vitality and functional independence of older people whilst minimizing adverse drug reactions 2.