MUSCLE MASS – THE "SILENT ENGINE" THAT KEEPS THE BODY STRONG FROM WITHIN

🔔 You may be concerned about maintaining a weight that matches your height, but the true key to long-term health lies in your body composition - particularly muscle mass. 

Muscle mass not only supports movement and posture but also performs essential functions such as regulating blood glucose, storing energy, and facilitating the function of internal organs through smooth muscle. 

💡 Despite its importance, many people suffer from low muscle mass without realizing it. The consequences go beyond a lack of tone or definition - persistent fatigue, metabolic disorders, and an increased risk of chronic diseases in the future are also at stake. 

👉 Join MSc. Dr. Nguyen Phuong Anh - Nutrition Specialist at the CarePlus International Clinics – to explore the “silent yet essential” role of muscle mass. 

1️⃣ Muscle Mass and the Types of Muscle in the Body 

Muscle mass accounts for approximately 30–40% of an adult’s body weight and includes three types of muscle: 

🔸 Skeletal muscle: Attached to bones, skeletal muscles allow the body to move and maintain posture. These muscles are also key sites for important metabolic activities, including glucose utilization and storage, as well as protein synthesis and breakdown. 

🔸 Smooth muscle: Found in the walls of internal organs such as the respiratory tract, digestive system, and blood vessels. Smooth muscles contract involuntarily to help these organs function properly. 

🔸 Cardiac muscle: Forms the heart and contracts rhythmically to pump blood throughout the body. 

2️⃣ How Does Muscle Loss Impact Health? 

According to the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), muscle loss affects approximately 10% of people over the age of 60 globally, with prevalence increasing sharply with age: 

▪️ 5–13% in people aged 60 and older 

▪️ 11–50% in people aged 80 and older 

❗ Loss of muscle mass leads to reduced strength and mobility, making daily movement and activities more difficult. Among older adults, muscle loss often increases dependence on caregivers and significantly diminishes quality of life. 

❗ From a metabolic perspective, skeletal muscle is responsible for consuming and storing the majority of glucose after meals. Around 70–80% of glucose is absorbed by muscle tissue and stored as glycogen—a “fuel reserve” for use between meals. When muscle mass is reduced, this reserve shrinks, increasing the risk of post-meal hyperglycemia and the future development of diabetes. 

❗ It’s not just skeletal muscle that’s affected—smooth muscle, which maintains the function of vital organs such as the lungs, intestines, and blood vessels, also declines. This compromises the function of these organs and directly impacts overall health. 

👉 Don’t wait until your body starts showing signs of trouble. Taking proactive steps to preserve your muscle mass is also a way to protect your present and future health. 

📌 A consultation with a Nutrition Specialist at CarePlus is a scientific and effective way to assess your current muscle condition and build a personalized improvement plan. 

💡 The Nutrition Consultation Package at CarePlus includes a comprehensive set of services to accurately evaluate your physical condition: 

✔️ Anthropometric assessment, dietary analysis, and clinical examination 

✔️ Body composition analysis using advanced InBody technology 

✔️ Personalized diet and exercise consultation tailored to your physical condition and health goals 

📞 Message us or call the free hotline 1800 6116 to book your appointment today! 

CAREPLUS INTERNATIONAL CLINICS  

Associate of Singapore Medical Group