Research Suggests Muscles Lower Risk of Infection
Key Points:
- A UK study of over 458,000 adults found that lower muscle mass is linked to a higher risk of infections, particularly respiratory illnesses and sepsis.
- Participants with low muscle mass or sarcopenia experienced more infections compared to those with normal muscle, even after adjusting for age and other factors.
- Younger adults with sarcopenia showed the greatest vulnerability, suggesting early muscle loss may indicate broader health issues.
- Experts highlight symptoms of muscle loss such as slower walking, difficulty climbing stairs, and trouble carrying items, recommending regular strength training and vaccinations to bolster immune resilience.
- While the study does not establish causation, it supports the idea that maintaining muscle health is important for reducing infection susceptibility.