LIVE LONGER WITH MORE MUSCLE

If you follow a medical weight loss plan, you already know that building and maintaining lean muscle mass is the Holy Grail for a faster metabolism. A new study reinforces the benefits of higher muscle mass by demonstrating that, even while living with chronic disease, it can prolong the years of your life.

Researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA investigated the mortality rates among participants with cardiovascular disease in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 1999 and 2004. In the study, the 6,451 subjects were categorized into four groups:

Guess which group had the lowest mortality risk? If you said Group 3, you are correct. The high-muscle/low-fat subjects lived the longest on average compared to those in the other three groups.

These outcomes applied specifically to patients with a diagnosis of heart disease, so just think about what this means for healthier people. By following the guidelines for building muscle and protecting it over time, you will be in great shape to live not only a longer life but likely a high-quality one as well.

How do you know if your muscle percentage is higher than your fat percentage? As we’ve written about before, the technology for measuring body composition is quickly becoming more accessible, making it easier for you to know your numbers. Scales using electrical impedance, like the ones found in your doctor’s office, are probably the most accurate, comprehensive, and cost-efficient method for tracking body composition today.

But of course, just knowing your body composition breakdown isn’t enough. Improving your muscle-to-fat mass ratio requires sound knowledge and daily practice of productive nutrition, physical activity, and other healthy behaviors. Having someone to be accountable to also goes a long way in shifting body composition in your favor.

And just a note for the ladies reading this who might equate the word muscle with bulking up. We are here to assure you that focusing on increasing muscle mass will not turn you into the Incredible Hulk. It just means that your muscle percentage will be higher than your fat percentage, which is exactly what you need to support your weight loss efforts. So think toned and not tank.

So if you’ve been thinking about losing weight but don’t know where to start, it might help to build your strategy around increased muscle mass. We encourage you to take that first step towards knowing where you stand in that today, so you can be around to take many more steps in the years to come.