Why Building Muscle is Key to Longevity | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon
Mark Hyman
Sep 11, 2024
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Prioritize skeletal muscle health for longevity
The health and trajectory of how we age and live are directly related to the health of our skeletal muscle, making it the true organ of longevity.
Focus on high ground exercises to enhance muscle hypertrophy
Focusing on 'high ground' exercises, like machine-based movements with many points of contact, allows you to better target muscle hypertrophy, which is key to getting stronger.
Combine resistance training and protein intake to overcome anabolic resistance
As you age, you must combine resistance training with protein intake to make your skeletal muscle respond like younger muscle, overcoming anabolic resistance.
Train low to boost myokine secretion
There is evidence to suggest that training in a low glycogen state, or 'training low,' secretes more of the beneficial myokine Interleukin-6.
Leverage myokines to optimize nutrient regulation
Messenger molecules from muscle called myokines instruct your metabolism on how to regulate the nutrients you eat, determining whether they become muscle or fat.
Stimulate brain growth by contracting skeletal muscle
Contracting skeletal muscle releases myokines like irisin and cathepsin B, which stimulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the 'Miracle-Gro for the brain'.
Reject sedentary lifestyle to maintain healthy skeletal muscle
If you are a sedentary person, you by definition have unhealthy skeletal muscle, as it is an organ system that requires flux to be healthy.
Prioritize first meal with 30-50 grams of protein for muscle stimulation
The first meal of the day is the most important for stimulating muscle, and you should aim for 30 to 50 grams of protein to break your overnight fast.
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