New research identifies biological causes of muscle weakness in later life

[Northerner]

A new largescale genetic analysis has found biological mechanisms that contribute to making people more susceptible to muscle weakness in later life, finding that diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes may play a large role in susceptibility.

As we get older we lose muscle strength, and in some people this severe weakness impacts their ability to live everyday lives, a condition called sarcopenia. Around 10 per cent of people over 50 experience sarcopenia. Many causes thought to impact likelihood of developing this weakness, which is linked to higher death rates.

In a genetic analysis of over 250,000 people aged over 60 from UK Biobank and 21 other cohorts, an international team led by researchers at the University of Exeter looked at handgrip strength, using thresholds of loss of muscle function derived from international definitions of sarcopenia.

New research identifies biological causes of muscle weakness in later life

A new largescale genetic analysis has found biological mechanisms that contribute to making people more susceptible to muscle weakness in later life, finding that diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes may play a large role in susceptibility.

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[trophywench]

I can't unscrew a Libre. If Pete isn't here, I'm stymied. Seriously - is there a gadget anyone (eg arthritic people) can use that might undo a Libre?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Seriously - is there a gadget anyone (eg arthritic people) can use that might undo a Libre?

Some kind of jar opener, like https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suffering-Arthritis-Strength-Non-slip-Heavy-duty/dp/B01N97R6SO ?

 

[Drummer]

I am quite noticeably stronger these days.
I was always strong, athletic and muscular - but every time I was pushed to eat carbs, less meat, cut off the fat etc. I lost strength, energy and muscles.
Sticking to a diet rich in meat, eggs and seafood turned things around, even though I am now almost 70.

 

[mikeyB]

A new largescale genetic analysis has found biological mechanisms that contribute to making people more susceptible to muscle weakness in later life, finding that diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes may play a large role in susceptibility.

As we get older we lose muscle strength, and in some people this severe weakness impacts their ability to live everyday lives, a condition called sarcopenia. Around 10 per cent of people over 50 experience sarcopenia. Many causes thought to impact likelihood of developing this weakness, which is linked to higher death rates.

New research identifies biological causes of muscle weakness in later life

A new largescale genetic analysis has found biological mechanisms that contribute to making people more susceptible to muscle weakness in later life, finding that diseases such as osteoarthritis and diabetes may play a large role in susceptibility.

www.sciencedaily.com

What, higher death rates than 100%? It’s not treatable, and we don’t all die at the same age. And I know, or have known loads of over 50s, and I don’t recall any of them suffering from any significant degree from this.

Severe weakness? Hyperbole. I know what severe weakness means. It means I have to use a wheelchair.

 

[Ditto]

Me and Mum are now weak as kittens. It's terrible. Mum is a flounder, can't do anything, can't roll over in bed. Nightmare. Wouldn't be surprised if we've got that, we've got everything else. 🙂 Need to get that jar opener otherwise we wait for my brother to come.

 

[mikeyB]

Jar and bottle openers are big sellers at Lakeland. I’m the jar and bottle opener here. Mrs B would suffer if she couldn’t have her G&T in the evening.

Jars are difficult to open because of the vacuum in the space above the jam. So all you have to do is stab a hole in the lid, and the lid can be removed by a three year old. In fact, that is how some jar openers work.

 

[Northerner]

Jar and bottle openers are big sellers at Lakeland. I’m the jar and bottle opener here. Mrs B would suffer if she couldn’t have her G&T in the evening.

Jars are difficult to open because of the vacuum in the space above the jam. So all you have to do is stab a hole in the lid, and the lid can be removed by a three year old. In fact, that is how some jar openers work.

That's what we used to do when we were kids (or Mum did!) - stab the lid with a knife 🙂