If you’re over the age of 50, research shows your muscle mass and strength have already started declining. But this doesn’t mean you are helpless to stop it! There are ways to support your muscles and preserve muscle mass to keep you moving now and well into your twilight years, including NEW Mega Magnesium 50+ Support.
Mega Magnesium 50+ Support is a triple action formula that has been specifically designed to support ageing muscles. With easily absorbed magnesium glycinate, vitamin D and HMB (hydroxymethylbutyrate), this formulation can be taken daily to support muscle strength and function, support bone health, reduce and relieve muscle cramps, maintain muscle mass and support a healthy neuromuscular system.
Why Does Our Muscle Mass and Strength Reduce As We Age?
Muscle mass and strength naturally decline with age, due to a combination of biological and lifestyle factors. Muscles begin to gradually shrink from around the age of 30, but this process typically accelerates after 50, resulting in a loss of around 20% in muscle mass and 40% in muscle strength from their peak levels in early adulthood.¹ Muscle loss is caused by age-related changes (muscle synthesis naturally declines with age) as well as hormonal and lifestyle factors like reduced physical activity and poor nutrition. As you lose muscle, you are at a greater risk of falls, injuries and fractures and it can hinder your ability to perform everyday tasks like climbing stairs or lifting objects, potentially resulting in a loss of independence.
What Can Be Done To Combat Muscle Loss?
Although muscle loss is a natural part of life and ageing, there are ways to mitigate its effects and maintain muscle strength and mass to keep you active for longer. Evidence suggests that taking nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D and HMB can maintain muscle strength and function and support ageing bodies in various ways.
Magnesium is vital for muscle health and plays a role in muscle contraction, relaxation and overall function. Magnesium supports muscle recovery after exercise and can help reduce muscle cramps. If you don’t get enough magnesium over time, it can result in muscle weakness and spasms.²
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle and bone health. Adequate vitamin D levels are associated with better muscle strength and performance, especially in older people, while a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness and impaired function.³ Vitamin D is also critical for bone health, especially in older adults, as it aids in the absorption of calcium, which is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
HMB might be a lesser-known muscle nutrient but is also important for supporting muscle growth and strength. HMB is a metabolite of leucine, an amino acid. It helps to stimulate muscle protein synthesis and inhibit muscle protein breakdown. Evidence shows that HMB supplementation can lead to increased muscle strength and can help preserve muscle mass, especially in older people.⁴
Mega Magnesium 50+ Support is a triple action formula, designed to keep you moving as you age. It contains high strength MagActive®, a magnesium that has 4 x better absorption* and is gentler on the gut, in combination with Vitamin D and HMB to support muscle mass, strength and function.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do To Support Ageing Muscles?
Staying physically active and ensuring you consume adequate protein in your diet can help support muscle repair, growth and function.
Engaging in regular exercise, especially resistance (strength) training, such as using weights, bodyweight (squats, push-ups) and/or using resistance bands is highly important for preserving and enhancing muscle mass as well as supporting bone health. It is recommended to work with your GP, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist before embarking on an exercise program.
It is also important to get enough protein from your diet as protein is needed to build muscle mass as well as support muscle repair. Protein can be obtained from a variety of animal and plant-based foods including lean meats, fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, beans, peas and lentils, nuts and seeds. Try to incorporate protein with each meal.
Maintaining regular physical activity and prioritising protein intake, along with taking a high-quality supplement like Mega Magnesium 50+ Support, can help preserve muscle mass and support a healthier, stronger body as you get older.
References
- Daly R, Bollen C, Bollen J, et al. Sarcopenia in general practice: towards improving muscle health screening, assessment and management in Australia. AJGP;2024:53(10). doi: 10.31128/AJGP-12-23-7062
- Souza ACR, Vasconcelos AR, Dias DD, et al. The integral role of magnesium in muscle integrity and aging: A comprehensive review. Nutrients. 2023;15(24):5127. doi: 10.3390/nu15245127
- Rejnmark L. Effects of vitamin D on muscle function and performance: a review of evidence from randomized controlled trials. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2011;2(1):25-37. doi: 10.1177/2040622310381934
- Bear D, Langan A, Eirini D, et al. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and its impact on skeletal muscle mass and physical function in clinical practice: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(4). https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy373
*Magnesium glycinates potential v. Magnesium oxides
